shutoff

1 of 2

noun

shut·​off ˈshət-ˌȯf 

1

: something (such as a valve) that shuts off

2

: stoppage, interruption

shut off

2 of 2

verb

shut off; shutting off; shuts off

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to cease operating : stop

shuts off automatically

Synonyms

Noun

• arrest
• arrestment
• cease
• cessation
• check
• close
• closedown
• closure
• conclusion
• cutoff
• discontinuance
• discontinuation
• end
• ending
• expiration
• finish
• halt
• lapse
• offset
• shutdown
• stay
• stop
• stoppage
• surcease
• termination

Verb

• break
• break off
• break up
• can [slang]
• cease
• cut off
• cut out
• desist (from)
• discontinue
• drop
• end
• give over
• halt
• knock off
• lay off
• leave off
• pack (up or in)
• quit
• stop

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

Noun

Even outside of that winter moratorium, utilities must give a 13-day notice before a shutoff — allowing bills to rack up for people who are unable to pay them. —Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025

These shutoffs show there are no easy solutions – only hard choices. —Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2025

Verb

Many projects that had received small amounts of funding to start construction planning suddenly had that funding shut off. —Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025

The survey was conducted at the end of March, after the contentious Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelensky, which resulted in a temporary shut off of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing, critical assistance in Kyiv’s defense against Russia. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1818, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for shutoff

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids 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 verb

ˌshət-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