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 refinery shutdown for failure to secure crude would lead to serious nationwide fuel shortages and sharp price spikes," said the company, whose refinery accounts for about 30 percent of the country's fuel needs.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

On Sunday, the shutdown reached 44 days, surpassing the previous longest funding lapse, which ended in November 2025.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

The Houston Food Bank has held special drives for families and workers impacted by the government shutdown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

Kirby compared the situation to the pandemic in 2020, when a global shutdown squashed demand and travel.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

Before long a group of White families sued the state because Colored children weren’t the only ones being hurt by the shutdown; children in all-White schools were being harmed as well.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Related Words

• closedown
• closure
• stoppage