1
: the act or action of cutting off
2
a
: the new and relatively short channel formed when a stream cuts through the neck of an oxbow
b
c
: a channel made to straighten a stream
3
: a device for cutting off
4
a
: something cut off
b
cutoffs plural
: shorts originally made from jeans with the legs cut off at the knees or higher
5
: the point, date, or period for a cutoff
cutoff
adjective
Examples of cutoff in a Sentence
a cutoff of the water supply
The cutoff for new applications is next Wednesday.
Recent Examples on the Web
In multiple states with large populations, including New York and California, June 1 was the cutoff for work requirements, meaning more Americans are now subject to the stipulations.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Anrabess Elastic-Waist Lightweight Shorts These Anrabess shorts are your sign to break up with uncomfortable denim cutoffs.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 June 2026
On January 23, just days before the funding cutoff, Norton’s office posted on Facebook that a new appropriations package for the Smithsonian included funding for the Anacostia Community Museum.
—Camille Borders, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
If there’s still a line when polls close, a poll worker will stand at the end of the line to mark the cutoff.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cutoff
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Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Anrabess Elastic-Waist Lightweight Shorts These Anrabess shorts are your sign to break up with uncomfortable denim cutoffs.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 June 2026
On January 23, just days before the funding cutoff, Norton’s office posted on Facebook that a new appropriations package for the Smithsonian included funding for the Anacostia Community Museum.
—Camille Borders, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
If there’s still a line when polls close, a poll worker will stand at the end of the line to mark the cutoff.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cutoff
Cite this Entry
“Cutoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutoff. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cutoff
1 of 2 noun
cut·off
ˈkət-ˌȯf 
1
a
: the action of cutting off
b
: the point or date that cutting off occurs
2
: a device for cutting off
3
plural
: shorts made from jeans with the legs cut off short
cutoff
adjective
cut off
2 of 2 verbˌkət-ˈȯf
1
: to stop the flow or movement of
cut off a supply
2
: isolate
cut off from the world
3
: discontinue sense 2
they cut off relations with us
4
: to stop from talking
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