shutdown

[shuht-doun]

noun

1. a shutting down, as of a factory, school, or machine; a termination or suspension of operations, services, or business activity.

   a partial government shutdown;

   an emergency shutdown of a nuclear reactor.

shutdown

/ ˈʃʌtˌdaʊn /

noun

1. 1. the closing of a factory, shop, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      shutdown costs

verb

1. to cease or cause to cease operation

2. (tr) to close by lowering

3. (tr) (of fog) to descend and envelop

4. informal,  (intr; foll by on or upon) to put a stop to; clamp down on

5. (tr) to reduce the power level of (a nuclear reactor) to the lowest possible value

Word History and Origins

Origin of shutdown¹

1855–60, noun use of verb phrase shut down

Example Sentences

The global automotive industry is getting ready for potential production cuts and factory shutdowns as it grapples with an ongoing shortage of critical semiconductor chips.

Read more on MarketWatch

The U.S. government shutdown is nearing its first full month with Washington still gridlocked.

Read more on MarketWatch

The US government shutdown has entered its fifth week and there is no clear end in sight.

Read more on BBC

A US federal data blackout deepened Thursday as a government shutdown halted the release of third quarter GDP figures, forcing policymakers, financial institutions and business owners to continue flying blind.

Read more on Barron's

“The figures show the stranglehold caused by the government shutdown on the IPO market, which is unlikely to return to its September glories until an end to the deadlock,” Kerr said.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• closedown 
• closure 
• stoppage