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

The protest, dubbed the G20 Women's Shutdown, has been organised by Women for Change, which has also been spearheading the online campaign.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2025

Shutdown aside, his approval rating stands at 39% among New Yorkers, the lowest in twenty years, according to a Siena College poll.

From Salon • Nov. 14, 2025

Appeared in the November 11, 2025, print edition as 'Stocks Soar on Hopes for Shutdown Resolution'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025

Shutdown contingency plans were expected to be posted online early Friday.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 29, 2023

"Main shutdown in four," Johanssen said, ", . . three . . . two . . . one . . . Shutdown."

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

• closedown
• closure
• stoppage