shutdown

American  

[shuht-doun] / ˈʃʌtˌdaʊn /

noun

1. 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.

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shutdown British  

/ ˈʃʌtˌdaʊn /

noun

1. 1. the closing of a factory, shop, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      shutdown costs

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verb

1. to cease or cause to cease operation

2. (tr) to close by lowering

3. (tr) (of fog) to descend and envelop

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

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

Etymology

Origin of shutdown

1855–60, noun use of verb phrase shut down

Example Sentences

There are some other holiday shutdowns to note.

From MarketWatch

The shutdown, Iran, the birthright-citizenship case and the budget are all on the president’s plate.

From The Wall Street Journal

And manufacturing in Canada contracted 1.4%, more than countering an increase in December as the automotive sector notched the biggest retreat since September 2021 due to an extended winter shutdown at assembly plants in Ontario.

From The Wall Street Journal

The DHS funding lapse entered its 45th day on Monday, a record in the United States, although government shutdowns typically impact broader segments of the federal workforce.

From Barron's

Some waits were still long on Sunday as a busy spring-break season collides with TSA workers waiting for back pay from the shutdown.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• closedown
• closure
• stoppage