shutdown

1 of 2

noun

shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce shutdown (audio)
: the cessation or suspension of an operation or activity

shut down

2 of 2

verb

shut down; shutting down; shuts down

intransitive verb

: to settle so as to obscure vision : close in
the night shut down early

transitive verb

: to make ineffective in competition
shut down the opposition's offensive line

Examples of shutdown in a Sentence

Noun the shutdown of the factory the factory resumed operation after a brief shutdown for repairs
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The administration appears unconcerned about the long-term implications of a generation of schoolchildren stunted by the pandemic shutdown. Robert H. Bork Jr., National Review, 17 Apr. 2024 The number of people granted asylum per year dipped during Mr. Biden’s first year in office, after the global pandemic shutdown, but then more than doubled in his second year. Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Apr. 2024 The shutdown looms despite some bright business metrics for Axe-Men Throw House. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024 But Hancock’s constantly restless artistic spirit, coupled with the 2020 pandemic shutdown, led him to reevaluate things in a major way. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024 The plant — and two nearby affected facilities that were also closed — had employed 3,000 workers, and the shutdown was expected to affect as many as 25,000 other jobs in the local economy, union officials said in 2021. William Gavin, Quartz, 11 Apr. 2024 Residents at the nursing home were informed of the news Wednesday, when they were told by nursing home co-owner Jon McPike that the state of Texas had mandated the shutdown, said resident Nona Taggart. Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2024 Nintendo first announced the shutdown last year and also closed the online stores for both consoles in March 2023. Emma Roth, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024 The ongoing violence has led to a suspension of international flights into the capital for more than a month, and the shutdown of the main seaport. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
Verb
One such moment for Vo occurred when employees in the characters department were informed that they would be required to resume physical contact with guests for the first time since the parks shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024 The entirety of Hurley’s nine-year tenure in Tempe has unfolded since ASU shut down Packard for good. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024 Northbound Interstate 435 at Truman Road was shut down for nearly three hours while police investigated, said Officer Alayna Gonzalez with the Kansas City Police Department. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024 Participant, the 20-year-old film and television production company whose mission was to inspire social justice and humanitarian action, is shutting down. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024 Thanks to a backup generator, the pilot was able to issue a mayday warning via radio that allowed first responders to shut down car traffic on the bridge. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024 But it was shut down for violating rules against raising money to legally defend cases involving violent crimes. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR, 15 Apr. 2024 The rockets then shut down and the unpowered missile descends to its target. George Petras, USA TODAY, 15 Apr. 2024 About 6,000 people a year in the United States are diagnosed with ALS, often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, which kills by progressively shutting down the body’s ability to move, speak and eventually breathe. Daniel Gilbert, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shutdown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1888, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1779, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of shutdown was in 1779

Dictionary Entries Near shutdown

Cite this Entry

“Shutdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutdown. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

shutdown

noun
shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce shutdown (audio)
: an ending of an activity

More from Merriam-Webster on shutdown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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