shutter

1 of 2

noun

shut·​ter ˈshə-tər 

1

: one that shuts

2

: a usually movable cover or screen for a window or door

3

: a mechanical device that limits the passage of light

especially : a camera component that allows light to enter by opening and closing an aperture

4

: the movable louvers in a pipe organ by which the swell box is opened

shutterless

ˈshə-tər-ləs 

adjective

shutter

2 of 2

verb

shuttered; shuttering; shutters

transitive verb

1

: to close by or as if by shutters

corporations shuttering their production plants

2

: to furnish with shutters

Examples of shutter in a Sentence

Verb

They locked the doors and shuttered the windows.

They declared bankruptcy and shuttered the store.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Plus, the shed kit comes with flower boxes and shutters for even more whimsy. — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 29 June 2026

The lucky ones have shutters or awnings, but others must climb stepladders to hang sheets or tablecloths from windows. — Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026

Verb

Yes, the game is in dire straits, but shuttering a second, brand new game after what just took place is probably a bridge too far, even for Sony. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

New York’s Lyles & King, known for its championship of emerging artists and its keen eye for talent, has shuttered. — News Desk, Artforum, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shutter

• butter
• clutter
• cutter
• flutter
• gutter
• mutter
• nutter
• putter
• rutter
• sputter
• stutter
• utter

Kids Definition

shutter

1 of 2 noun

shut·​ter ˈshət-ər 

1

: a movable cover for a window that swings on hinges like a door

2

: a device in a camera that opens to allow light to enter when a picture is taken

shutter

2 of 2 verb

: to close with or by shutters

kept the house shuttered