shutdown

[ shuht-doun ]

/ ˈʃʌtˌdaʊn /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for shutdown on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of shutdown

1855–60, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase shut down

Words nearby shutdown

shura, shush, Shushan, Shuswap, shut, shutdown, Shute, shuteye, shut-in, shutoff, shut one's eyes to

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use shutdown in a sentence

Jersey City unions responded to the shutdown of extra duty work in 2019 by suing the mayor.
How the Police Bank Millions Through Their Union Contracts|by Andrew Ford, Asbury Park Press, and Agnes Chang, Jeff Kao and Agnel Philip, ProPublica|February 8, 2021|ProPublica
As the shutdown continued into July, Riley’s position was eliminated, and the restaurant sold off much of the extensive wine collection she had built.
Sommeliers have been forced to pivot in the pandemic, and their futures remain uncertain|Dave McIntyre|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
Governors' shutdowns did not cause the pandemic jobs crisisStill, even if your client’s employer invites him back to the office, it will also probably accommodate those colleagues who prefer to continue working remotely.
Video conferences are here to stay, even after we go back to the office. Get used to it.|Karla Miller|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
Still, she said, there could be jumps in community spread as some jurisdictions consider loosening shutdown guidelines.
Maryland Democrats call for ‘course correction’ amid regionwide frustration over vaccine rollout|Erin Cox, Rebecca Tan, Antonio Olivo|February 3, 2021|Washington Post

Government-directed Internet shutdowns are, troublingly, on the rise.
Myanmar: How repressive regimes quash dissent with Internet shutdowns|Robert Hackett|February 2, 2021|Fortune
He added, "I have not had this many phone calls since the shutdown of the government, truthfully."
Democrats Accidentally Save Boehner From Republican Coup|Ben Jacobs, Jackie Kucinich|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They added that the shutdown was temporary and they plan to resume the trial in January.
Uh Oh: Ebola Vaccine Trials Stop|Leigh Cowart|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With a government shutdown looming, Nancy Pelosi and Michele Bachmann are on the same side.
Bachmann and Pelosi vs. Boehner and Obama Over Spending Bill|Ben Jacobs|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In their opinion, this would allow conservatives to lay a marker down on immigration while avoiding a shutdown for the time being.
Bachmann and Pelosi vs. Boehner and Obama Over Spending Bill|Ben Jacobs|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not so long ago, many were predicting that the government shutdown would kill Republican chances in 2014.
Voters Remind D.C. That the Economy Still Sucks|Stuart Stevens|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If a necessary shutdown occurred at night the silence awakened all sleepers in the neighborhood.
The Pinos Altos Story|Dorothy Watson

British Dictionary definitions for shutdown

shutdown

/ (ˈʃʌtˌdaʊn) /

noun

the closing of a factory, shop, etc
(as modifier)shutdown costs

verb shut down (adverb)

to cease or cause to cease operation

(tr) to close by lowering

(tr) (of fog) to descend and envelop

(intr; foll by on or upon) informal to put a stop to; clamp down on

(tr) to reduce the power level of (a nuclear reactor) to the lowest possible value

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with shutdown

shut down

See close down, def. 1.

Stop or switch off machinery, as in They shut down all the machines for one week a year. [Late 1800s]

shutdown

Origin of shutdown

Words nearby shutdown

Words related to shutdown

How to use shutdown in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for shutdown

Other Idioms and Phrases with shutdown