circuit breaker
noun
: a switch that automatically interrupts the current of an overloaded electric circuit
Examples of circuit breaker in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The math is long and complicated, but the upshot is that the property tax base will shrink, and as tax rates increase, more and more properties will qualify for the circuit breaker that caps the property’s total tax bill.
—
Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Each circuit is equipped with a circuit breaker, a safety device within the electrical panel that shuts off power if that circuit is overloaded, which happens when too many appliances try to draw too much electricity at the same time.
—Akielly Hu, Wired News, 3 May 2025
When tax bills exceed the cap, a circuit breaker credit kicks in representing a savings to the homeowner, but a revenue loss to a school district.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
Here are the thresholds the S&P 500 needs to reach during Monday’s session the different circuit breakers to be triggered:
Level 1: 4,718.89
Level 2: 4,414.45
Level 3: 4,059.26
‘Limit down’ futures
In non-U.S. trading hours — between 6 p.m. ET and 9:30 a.m.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circuit breaker
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Each circuit is equipped with a circuit breaker, a safety device within the electrical panel that shuts off power if that circuit is overloaded, which happens when too many appliances try to draw too much electricity at the same time.
—Akielly Hu, Wired News, 3 May 2025
When tax bills exceed the cap, a circuit breaker credit kicks in representing a savings to the homeowner, but a revenue loss to a school district.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
Here are the thresholds the S&P 500 needs to reach during Monday’s session the different circuit breakers to be triggered:
Level 1: 4,718.89
Level 2: 4,414.45
Level 3: 4,059.26
‘Limit down’ futures
In non-U.S. trading hours — between 6 p.m. ET and 9:30 a.m.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circuit breaker
Cite this Entry
“Circuit breaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circuit%20breaker. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share