load-shedding

Or load·shed·ding

[lohd-shed-ing]

noun

1. the deliberate shutdown of electric power in a part or parts of a power-distribution system, generally to prevent the failure of the entire system when the demand strains the capacity of the system.

load shedding

noun

1. the act or practice of temporarily reducing the supply of electricity to an area to avoid overloading the generators

Word History and Origins

Origin of load-shedding¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Having a steady electricity supply has become a privilege in the country, which has endured nearly 15 years of "load-shedding" - scheduled nationwide blackouts introduced to ease pressure on the fragile infrastructure.

From BBC

It is a far cry from when we first met in March last year, at the height of South Africa’s power crisis and frequent load-shedding, the official term for scheduled power cuts.

From BBC

A day after the polls, load-shedding, as rolling power cuts are known as locally, was not only back, but back with a vengeance.

From BBC

Cape Town already had the dubious distinction of being the murder capital of Africa - load-shedding and the absence of street lighting has added a new level of menace.

From BBC

“Few would argue that we should close down power stations even as we experience load-shedding.”

From Seattle Times