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• load-shedding
  load-shedding

  noun

  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
  load shedding

  noun

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

load-shedding

American  

[lohd-shed-ing] / ˈloʊdˌʃɛd ɪŋ /

Or loadshedding

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.

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load shedding British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of load-shedding

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

load-shedding load shedding

Ghising, 55, won significant public support when he led the Nepal Electricity Authority in tackling the Himalayan country's load-shedding crisis.

From Barron's ● Dec. 30, 2025

“We're not out of the woods yet, but the probability of us going back to load-shedding is very slim if we keep doing what we are doing currently”, says Daphne Mokwena.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2024

The power cuts, referred to as load-shedding, have caused much frustration, not least on the roads as traffic lights often do not work, causing gridlock.

From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2023

He even fears customers might stop coming to his creamery: "We have had customers who assume that we are closed, because of load-shedding, so I am really worried that if load-shedding worsens, people won't come."

From BBC ● Feb. 10, 2023

"Sorry there's load-shedding the first night you arrive, Tara. The power should be back soon, though. And the air-conditioning."

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

"There has been a further escalation in load shedding since then, resulting in the additional cost pressure," it said.

From Reuters ● Feb. 8, 2023

"But ultimately to put load shedding to bed, what we need is additional capacity because the system as it is at the moment is still unreliable and unpredictable," de Ruyter said.

From Reuters ● Jul. 16, 2022

But the entire country is now in the grip of long, daily power cuts, known euphemistically here as "load shedding".

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2022

While neighboring streets are plunged into darkness during load shedding, the area outside his shop is still illuminated, attracting people from all over in search of a late-night snack.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 8, 2022

There are eight stages of load shedding - each stage means 1,000 megawatt hours must be cut.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2022