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  • load-shedding
    load-shedding
    noun
    the deliberate shutdown of electric power in a part or parts of a power-distribution system, generally to prevent the failure of the entire system when the demand strains the capacity of the system.
  • load shedding
    load shedding
    noun
    the act or practice of temporarily reducing the supply of electricity to an area to avoid overloading the generators

load-shedding

American  
[lohd-shed-ing] / ˈloʊdˌʃɛd ɪŋ /
Or loadshedding

noun

  1. the deliberate shutdown of electric power in a part or parts of a power-distribution system, generally to prevent the failure of the entire system when the demand strains the capacity of the system.


load shedding British  

noun

  1. the act or practice of temporarily reducing the supply of electricity to an area to avoid overloading the generators

"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

Etymology

Origin of load-shedding

First recorded in 1945–50

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.

Ghising, 55, won significant public support when he led the Nepal Electricity Authority in tackling the Himalayan country's load-shedding crisis.

From Barron's • Dec. 30, 2025

As a result of the changes is load-shedding now a thing of the past?

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2024

But now there has been no load-shedding for more than four months - since 05:00 on 26 March to be precise - the longest break in more than four years.

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2024

A day after the polls, load-shedding, as rolling power cuts are known as locally, was not only back, but back with a vengeance.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2023

"Sorry there's load-shedding the first night you arrive, Tara. The power should be back soon, though. And the air-conditioning."

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins