short-circuit

verb short-cir·cuit \ ˈshȯrt-ˈsər-kət \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

transitive verb

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

2 : bypass 2

3 : frustrate, impede

intransitive verb

: to become shunted by a short circuit

The radio short-circuited.

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First Known Use of short-circuit

1867

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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short circuit

noun

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

See short circuit defined for English-language learners

See short circuit defined for kids

Examples of short circuit in a Sentence

The fire was caused by a short circuit.

Recent Examples of short circuit from the Web

And so impeachment, in a way, would short circuit that.

— time staff, Time, "Read the Full Transcript From James Comey's ABC Interview," 17 Apr. 2018
And so impeachment, in a way, would short circuit that.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "The Biggest Revelations From James Comey’s ABC Interview," 16 Apr. 2018
But his views reflect a concerted effort by Trump's allies to convince the President that harsher action is necessary to short circuit the Russia probe.

— pamela brown, CNN, "White House is prepping an effort to undermine Rosenstein," 12 Apr. 2018
But the search may be short circuited by a vote scheduled in two weeks to give the job to interim Superintendent Verletta White.

— liz bowie, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore County school board approves contract to do national superintendent search," 3 Apr. 2018
The Trump administration cannot short circuit a federal climate change lawsuit brought by a group of 21 children and teenagers, an appellate court ruled on Wednesday, likely sending the ambitious case back to a lower court in Oregon for trial.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "The Trump administration just failed to stop a climate lawsuit in Oregon brought by 21 kids," 8 Mar. 2018
There was nothing to indicate the electrical engineer's life was about to short circuit, no warning that, out of nowhere, would come a red Dodge Durango and the end to all normalcy.

— donna vickroy, Daily Southtown, "'The doctor here calls me Lazarus': Meet Gustavo Raya, the man who survived a head-on car crash," 31 Mar. 2018
So far, investigators have identified a short circuit as a possible cause and said the emergency exits were locked shut, hampering any evacuation.

— Washington Post, "Victims of deadly fire in Siberia being laid to rest," 29 Mar. 2018
Investigators identified a short circuit as a possible cause and said the emergency exits were locked shut, hampering an evacuation.

— Fox News, "Russia mourns victims of deadly fire in Siberia," 28 Mar. 2018

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.

First Known Use of short circuit

1854

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SHORT-CIRCUIT Defined for English Language Learners

short-circuit

verb

: to cause (something) to have a short circuit
: to stop working because of a short circuit
: to avoid doing (something)

short circuit

noun

: the failure of electricity to flow properly in a circuit because the wires or connections in the circuit are damaged or not connected properly

SHORT-CIRCUIT Defined for Kids

short circuit

noun

: an electrical connection made between points in an electric circuit between which current does not normally flow

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See words that rhyme with short-circuit Spanish Central: Translation of short-circuit

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short-circuit

First Known Use of short-circuit

short circuit

Examples of short circuit in a Sentence

Recent Examples of short circuit from the Web

First Known Use of short circuit

SHORT-CIRCUIT Defined for English Language Learners

short-circuit

short circuit

SHORT-CIRCUIT Defined for Kids

short circuit

Learn More about short-circuit

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short-circuit

First Known Use of short-circuit

short circuit

Examples of short circuit in a Sentence

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First Known Use of short circuit

SHORT-CIRCUIT Defined for English Language Learners

short-circuit

short circuit

SHORT-CIRCUIT Defined for Kids

short circuit

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