short circuit

¹ American  

noun

Electricity.

1. Also called short.  an abnormal, usually unintentional condition of relatively low resistance between two points of different potential in a circuit, usually resulting in a flow of excess current.

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short-circuit ² American  

[shawrt-sur-kit] / ˌʃɔrtˈsɜr kɪt /

verb (used with object)

1. Electricity.

   1. to make (an appliance, switch, etc.) inoperable by establishing a short circuit in.

   2. to carry (a current) as a short circuit.

2. to bypass, impede, hinder, or frustrate.

   Bad weather short-circuited my vacation plans.

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verb (used without object)

1. Electricity. to form a short circuit or become inoperable due to a short circuit.

short circuit British  

noun

1. a faulty or accidental connection between two points of different potential in an electric circuit, bypassing the load and establishing a path of low resistance through which an excessive current can flow. It can cause damage to the components if the circuit is not protected by a fuse

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verb

1. to develop or cause to develop a short circuit

2. (tr) to bypass (a procedure, regulation, etc)

3. (tr) to hinder or frustrate (plans, etc)

short circuit Scientific  

/ shôrt /

1. An electrical path in a circuit that causes most of the current to flow around or away from some other path in the circuit. Accidental short circuits, especially between the high and low voltages of a power supply, can cause very strong current to flow, possibly damaging or overheating the circuit.

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short circuit Cultural  

1. An electrical circuit in which a path of very low resistance has been opened, usually accidentally. When the resistance drops, the electric current (see also current) in the circuit becomes very high and can cause damage to the circuit and start fires.

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Etymology

Origin of short circuit¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Origin of short-circuit²

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Adams pointed to social media platforms like X as evidence that machines “can easily short circuit our sense of human accountability and responsibility.”

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026

The fire may have been caused by a short circuit, he said.

From Barron's • Oct. 12, 2025

“Now they want to short circuit the whole process,” McGoldrick added.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2025

Reflecting on his use of the internet, Burton said: "I get depressed very quickly, maybe more quickly than other people. But it doesn't take me much to start to click and start to short circuit."

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2024

Later, we’d learn that there had been a short circuit somewhere among the hundreds of miles of wiring within the craft.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Related Words

• ditch
• duck
• elude
• escape
• evade
• fend off
• shuffle
• sidestep
• skirt