load-shedding

or load·shed·ding

[ lohd-shed-ing ]

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

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of load-shedding¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

"Due to the global energy crisis and the unprecedented surge in international currency markets, we are exposed to this unwanted load shedding," Hamid said in a Facebook post late on Monday.

From Reuters

The "load shedding" - as it is known, euphemistically, here - is set to get worse over the winter months.

From BBC

Mr Ramaphosa said that the most urgent task was to "drastically reduce the severity of load shedding in the coming months" - referring to the system of rolling blackouts that the country has lived under for many years.

From BBC

At an ice cream parlour in Soweto, one company has been struggling to keep their frozen treats cold amid rolling power-cuts, referred to locally as "load shedding".

From BBC

"Inevitably, load shedding has disrupted customers, with some impact on turnover. Of greater consequence, however, are the substantial unplanned costs incurred in running localised power generation for stores."

From Reuters