brownout

noun

brown·​out ˈbrau̇-ˌnau̇t 

: a period of reduced voltage of electricity caused especially by high demand and resulting in reduced illumination

Examples of brownout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That included outages and brownouts ‒ drops in voltage that cause lights to dim and can damage electronic devices. —Sasha Hupka, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2025

Headlines warn of possible brownouts and blackouts across Maryland, citing growing demand from data centers and surging industrial growth. —Joanne Frederick, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025

This triggers chain reactions that can lead to brownouts and dangerous blackouts. —Shaun Walsh, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

As a result, Texas has seen a drop in brownouts on its grid because of more renewables combined with bigger storage batteries. —Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

brown + blackout

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for brownout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

brownout

noun

brown·​out ˈbrau̇-ˌnau̇t 

: a reduction in the use or availability of electric power

also : a period of dimmed lighting resulting from such reduction