1
: something (such as a valve) that shuts off
2
shut off; shutting off; shuts off
1
: to close off : separate
—usually used with from
shut off from the rest of the world
2
a
: to cut off (a flow or passage) : stop
shuts off the oxygen supply
b
: to stop the operation of (something, such as a machine)
shut the motor off
: to cease operating : stop
shuts off automatically
Synonyms
Examples of shutoff in a Sentence
Noun
the utility company threatened them with the shutoff of electricity if the bills weren't paid
Verb
threatened to shut off peace talks if the other side kept making unreasonable demands
shut off the computer to save electricity
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Weber, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Across the region, almost 40,000 customers had their electricity cut through planned shutoffs.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Terri Williams, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
In the current war, launched more than 14 months ago to retaliate for the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust, Israeli leaders shut off water and power to all of Gaza, launched 6,000 airstrikes in the space of just five days, and suspended some measures intended to limit civilian casualties.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shutoff 
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Noun
Some 3,300 customers in the Malibu area remained without power, due to safety shutoffs and for firefighter safety.
—Christopher Weber, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Across the region, almost 40,000 customers had their electricity cut through planned shutoffs.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
The temperature gauge also shuts off when the water reaches boiling.
—Terri Williams, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
In the current war, launched more than 14 months ago to retaliate for the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust, Israeli leaders shut off water and power to all of Gaza, launched 6,000 airstrikes in the space of just five days, and suspended some measures intended to limit civilian casualties.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shutoff
Dictionary Entries Near shutoff
Cite this Entry
“Shutoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutoff. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shutoff
1 of 2 noun
shut·off
ˈshət-ˌȯf 
1
: something that shuts off
2
: an instance of shutting off : interruption, stoppage
shut off
2 of 2 verbˌshət-ˈȯf
1
: to stop the flow of
shut off the water
2
a
: to stop the operation of
shut the motor off
b
: to cease operating
the light shuts off automatically
3
: to make or keep separate
shut off from the rest of the world
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