shutdown

1 of 2

noun

shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n 

: the cessation or suspension of an operation or activity

shut down

2 of 2

verb

shut down; shutting down; shuts down

intransitive verb

: to settle so as to obscure vision : close in

the night shut down early

transitive verb

: to make ineffective in competition

shut down the opposition's offensive line

Synonyms of shutdown

Noun

• cessation
• halt
• ending
• closure
• end
• close
• conclusion

Examples of shutdown in a Sentence

Noun

the shutdown of the factory

the factory resumed operation after a brief shutdown for repairs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Trump’s top border policy advisor, Tom Homan, told Fox News on Monday that monthly detention numbers dipped because of the partial government shutdown earlier this year. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

After another major Interstate 80 shutdown this week, Placer County Supervisor Cindy Gustafson is bringing together state, federal and local officials for a summit to find ways to reduce serious crashes along the mountain freeway corridor. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026

Verb

The spacecraft didn’t attempt this feat during its previous test flight in May, because the Raptor engine shut down prematurely during launch. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 25 July 2026

The late 2023 fire gutted the LaVista Road apartment complex, shut down nearby roads and affected more than 200 residents. — Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1888, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1779, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for shutdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

shutdown

noun

shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n 

: an ending of an activity