shutoff
Americannoun
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an object or device that shuts (something) off.
the automatic shutoff on a heater.
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an act or instance of shutting off something, as an opening, a flow, or a service.
a shutoff of electric power due to unpaid bills.
Etymology
Origin of shutoff
First recorded in 1865–70; noun use of verb phrase shut off
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But consumers who fall behind can face a shutoff once the moratorium ends at the end of March.
From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026
Additionally, the company said its distribution lines to the west of Eaton Canyon "were de-energized well before the reported start time of the fire" as part of its fire safety shutoff program.
From BBC • Jan. 16, 2025
More than 400,000 people were under consideration for a shutoff.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2025
California officials have joined a legal effort to restore water to the Kern River after an abrupt shutoff of water dried up the river and killed thousands of fish in Bakersfield.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2024
“How about one where the hero just flips an emergency shutoff switch?” asked Akimi.
From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
