shutdown

American  

[shuht-doun] / ˈʃʌtˌdaʊn /

noun

shutdowns plural

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• shutdowns
  plural

Etymology

Origin of shutdown

1855–60, noun use of verb phrase shut down

Example Sentences

The move also reflects the changed nature of downtown’s financial district since the COVID-related shutdown.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2026

Each week of a shutdown reduces annualized GDP growth by about 0.1%, J.P.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026

Her company is having trouble obtaining building supplies because of the shutdown at Jebel Ali, but that is temporary, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026

The shutdown of the critical channel caused a spike in global oil prices and prevented shipments of other crucial commodities such as fertiliser.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

Units 5 and 6 still had fuel in their reactors, but they were in cold shutdown.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Related Words

• closedown
• closure
• stoppage