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 record-long government shutdown last fall prevented the Bureau of Labor Statistics from collecting accurate information on rents, leading to a situation in which price increases were temporarily understated.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

Yet those crucial softer readings are likely to dissipate in April due to data distortions carried over from the 43-day government shutdown in 2025.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

Mothers were hit hard by the pandemic shutdown, and their participation in the labor force plummeted in the spring of 2020.

From Salon • May 10, 2026

And three weeks later, we were in shutdown.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

It’s almost two a.m., and I could talk to him until my body forces a shutdown on me like an overheated laptop.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Related Words

• closedown
• closure
• stoppage