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brownout

American  
[broun-out] / ˈbraʊnˌaʊt /

noun

  1. the elimination of some or reduction of all electric lights of a city, especially as a precaution against attack in time of war.

  2. any curtailment of electric power, as by a severe storm.

brownout British  
/ ˈbraʊnˌaʊt /

noun

  1. a dimming or reduction in the use of electric lights in a city, esp to conserve electric power or as a defensive precaution in wartime

  2. a temporary reduction in electrical power Compare blackout

  3. a temporary slowing down of the workings of the internet caused when too many users attempt to access it at the same time

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
brownout Cultural  

  1. A situation in which the voltage in a power grid is reduced below its normal level but not entirely eliminated. (Compare blackout.)

Usage

What does brownout mean? A brownout is like a blackout, just not as bad.Where an electrical blackout means a loss of electricity, a brownout is a reduction in power. In a brownout, electric devices might still work, but be dimmer, slower, or generally less powerful.If someone blacks out drunk, they can't remember what they did. If someone browns out they have some memories, but only hazy or patchy ones.

Discover More

This reduced voltage can result in damage to many electronic devices.

Etymology

Origin of brownout

1940–45; brown + out, on the model of blackout

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Critics say wind farm projects are expensive, damage the environment and make the electrical grid less stable and more prone to brownout and blackouts.

From Washington Times • Nov. 28, 2023

Inside the former warehouse, the bar is replete with dark wood and brownout lighting.

From Washington Post • Jan. 10, 2019

“It was a brownout, not a blackout,” said Anderson of e failures that occurred after launching on Aug. 1.

From Slate • Nov. 25, 2013

For instance, these devices offer little help during brownout conditions, where dust can severely degrade visibility.

From Scientific American • Jun. 4, 2012

Finally there was a brownout in the distance and Milton cheerily called out, “Ready!”

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.