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

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

And then there’s the megawatt of power required to drive this whole thing, which comes from huge banks of capacitors slung under the telescope to prevent a brownout on the summit every 30 seconds all night long. —IEEE Spectrum, 23 June 2025

In simple terms, that means less power for increasingly electricity-hungry tech and manufacturing sectors, and a growing population—meaning higher power bills for everyone, and possible shortfalls and brownouts. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 3 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