brownout

noun brown·out \ ˈbrau̇-ˌnau̇t \

Definition of brownout

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

See brownout defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of brownout from the Web

Higher electricity costs and brownouts were likely.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Pruitt’s Clean Power Break," 8 Oct. 2017
On the same day, though, brownouts in Baghdad left millions without power, showing the government’s limited capacity to provide public services to its people.

— ben kesling, WSJ, "With ISIS on the Run, an Unexpected Leader Emerges in Iraq," 2 July 2017
Buy now: Apple AirPods, $160, Apple Belkin Belkin SurgePlus USB Swivel Charger Everyone needs extra plugs, and surge protection can be a gadget-saver in case of split-second brownouts (minor dips in power) or unexpected electricity spikes.

— lisa eadicicco, Time, "15 Gadgets That Every Student Needs," 25 Aug. 2017
These prime venues will experience an otherworldly brownout, while the rest of Americans will see only a partial eclipse.

— CNT, "Where to Be When the Moon Eclipses the Sun," 4 Aug. 2017
Widespread blackouts and rolling brownouts in 2000 and 2001 did little to inspire confidence in this part of the country.

— aldo svaldi, The Denver Post, "Colorado utilities may plug into regional electricity network serving 14 states," 2 Apr. 2017
The safety forces proposed postponing recruit classes, which could mean slower response times and a return to fire department brownouts.

— sharon coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "City budget coming: What to watch for," 10 May 2017
Less than two months into his presidency, in the midst of an energy crisis that produced rolling brownouts in California, Vice President Dick Cheney managed an end-around to reverse that pledge and formally abandon Kyoto.

— peter baker, New York Times, "16 Years Later, Bush’s Climate Pact Exit Holds Lessons for Trump," 4 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'brownout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.