shutdown

1 of 2

noun

shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce shutdown (audio)
: the cessation or suspension of an operation or activity

shut down

2 of 2

verb

shut down; shutting down; shuts down

intransitive verb

: to settle so as to obscure vision : close in
the night shut down early

transitive verb

: to make ineffective in competition
shut down the opposition's offensive line

Examples of shutdown in a Sentence

Noun the shutdown of the factory the factory resumed operation after a brief shutdown for repairs
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The play was first put on in a Yale School of Drama basement in 2017, followed by multiple off-Broadway and Broadway runs and a stint reopening Los Angeles’ Mark Taper Forum after the pandemic shutdowns. Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024 The 27% figure does not apply to areas where the state has not enacted shutdowns of unlicensed weed shops, a rep for Hochul noted. Michael Gartland, New York Daily News, 18 June 2024
Verb
The fire has prompted evacuations from Gorman, the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area and Pyramid Lake. I-5 was briefly shut down Saturday at Quail Lake and Gorman Post Road, leaving traffic snarled, with some accidents reportedly caused by drivers who stopped to photograph the flames. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2024 Jones' influential Infowars show and website could be shut down by the end of the day, and his personal belongings — from his gun collection to his jewelry — could soon be auctioned to the highest bidder in something of a fire sale. Tovia Smith, NPR, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for shutdown 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shutdown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1888, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1779, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of shutdown was in 1779

Dictionary Entries Near shutdown

Cite this Entry

“Shutdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutdown. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

shutdown

noun
shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce shutdown (audio)
: an ending of an activity

More from Merriam-Webster on shutdown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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