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
Sometimes those spikes can ask too much of the grid and lead to brownouts or blackouts.
—
Johanna Mathieu, The Conversation, 11 June 2025
The city’s fire department, which also overspends its budget, saw two fire stations temporarily close, with more brownouts expected in February.
—Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
Rolling brownouts — where electricity is intentionally cut to certain areas to prevent total blackouts — are becoming more likely.
—Steve Hershey, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2025
The department expects to save roughly $5 million from the two brownouts and another $10 million from an additional four temporary closures next month, part of the city’s attempt to reel in a crippling budget deficit.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025
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Johanna Mathieu, The Conversation, 11 June 2025
The city’s fire department, which also overspends its budget, saw two fire stations temporarily close, with more brownouts expected in February.
—Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
Rolling brownouts — where electricity is intentionally cut to certain areas to prevent total blackouts — are becoming more likely.
—Steve Hershey, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2025
The department expects to save roughly $5 million from the two brownouts and another $10 million from an additional four temporary closures next month, part of the city’s attempt to reel in a crippling budget deficit.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brownout
Cite this Entry
“Brownout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brownout. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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