shutdown

American  

[shuht-doun] / ˈʃʌtˌdaʊn /

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.

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shutdown British  

/ ˈʃʌtˌdaʊn /

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      shutdown costs

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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

Etymology

Origin of shutdown

1855–60, noun use of verb phrase shut down

Example Sentences

A winter storm that led to thousands of flight cancellations, as well as the partial government shutdown, which led to long lines at airports, could also be focal points for Delta’s call.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 5, 2026

Last week, the Senate finally settled on a plan to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

The report also arrived weeks late, a lingering consequence of the government shutdown that has delayed a string of economic data releases this year.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Some waits are still long on Sunday as a busy spring-break season collides with TSA workers waiting for back pay from the shutdown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Then I did a controlled shutdown of the Hab.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

• closedown
• closure
• stoppage