shutdown

[ shuht-doun ]

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.

shutdown

/ ˈʃʌtˌdaʊn /

noun

1. 1. the closing of a factory, shop, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      shutdown costs

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of shutdown¹

1855–60, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase shut down

Example Sentences

No more swooping in to prevent government shutdowns, which enables the Republicans to keep railing against “fiscal irresponsibility” while avoiding the political consequences.

From Salon

A bag seemingly abandoned on a bench prompted the shutdown of the Torrance courthouse early Wednesday and drew the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s bomb squad to the scene.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, battles were fought with hackers, data breaches and server shutdowns.

From Salon

A suspicious bag seemingly abandoned on a bench prompted the shutdown of the Torrance courthouse early Wednesday and drew the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s bomb squad to the scene.

From Los Angeles Times

A statement from the country's national energy company said "strong winds caused by the major hurricane Rafael caused the shutdown of the national electricity system" and that emergency protocols had been activated.

From BBC

Related Words

• closedown
• closure
• stoppage