short-circuit

verb

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short-cir·cuit | \ ˈshȯrt-ˈsər-kət

short-circuited; short-circuiting; short-circuits

Definition of short-circuit

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to apply a short circuit to or establish a short circuit in

2 : bypass sense 2

3 : frustrate, impede

intransitive verb

: to become shunted by a short circuit The radio short-circuited.

short circuit

noun

Definition of short circuit (Entry 2 of 2)

: a connection of comparatively low resistance accidentally or intentionally made between points on a circuit between which the resistance is normally much greater

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About short-circuit

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Examples of short-circuit in a Sentence

Noun The fire was caused by a short circuit.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The cause of the blaze appears to have been an electrical short circuit, according to initial findings, Jakarta Police Chief Fadil Imran said. — Niniek Karmini, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2021 There is built-in output short circuit protection, overvoltage protection, and overload protection. — Chris Hachey, BGR, 22 Sep. 2021 Which is absolutely fine—on this short circuit, two laps will be over quickly anyway. — Derek Powell, Car and Driver, 16 Sep. 2021 The fire which broke out at the Tangerang prison, located 25 miles west of Jakarta, is believed to have been caused by a short circuit in the prison’s faulty electrical system, authorities noted. — Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2021 The preliminary investigation into the cause of the fire that started around 1:45 a.m. pointed to a short circuit in one of 19 cells in prison Block C2, Jakarta Police Chief Fadil Imran said. — Niniek Karmini, ajc, 8 Sep. 2021 The problem appears to involve manufacturing defects that can cause their batteries to short circuit, even when parked. — Paul A. Eisenstein, NBC News, 23 Aug. 2021 Authorities at one point said the fire was caused by a short circuit. — Fox News, 14 July 2021 Authorities at one point said the fire was caused by a short circuit. — Fox News, 14 July 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'short-circuit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.