cord-cutting

noun

cord-cut·​ting ˈkȯrd-ˌkə-tiŋ 

variants or less commonly cord cutting

: the act or process of canceling a subscription to cable television or to a landline telephone service

As cable news begins to feel the squeeze from cord-cutting, arch-rivals Fox News and CNN are stepping up efforts to adapt to the trend that poses a long-term threat to their businesses.

—Stephen Battaglio

Although broadband rates don't appear to be rising substantially as a whole, there's a chance that cord cutting could someday lead providers to increase monthly Internet bills to mitigate the loss of cable customers, according to a MoffettNathanson report.

—Makeda Easter

The majority of Americans … now rely solely on wireless telephones. That watershed cord-cutting moment was reached in the last half of 2016, according to the federal government.

—Jan Cottingham

Examples of cord-cutting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The acceleration of cord-cutting and the fragmentation of audiences have fundamentally changed how viewers watch television. — Kris Qiu, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Paramount also argued that cord-cutting is eroding the leverage of all cable channel owners. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 July 2026

Linear television is in deep trouble because of streaming and because of cord-cutting. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 July 2026

Comcast’s restructuring follows last year’s Versant spinoff and comes as cord-cutting, declining traditional TV viewing and Peacock’s losses pressure its stock and reshape Hollywood’s global entertainment landscape. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cord-cutting

• abutting
• crosscutting
• inputting
• rebutting
• butting
• cutting
• gutting
• jutting
• putting
• rutting
• shutting
• smiting