shutoff

noun

shut·off | \ ˈshət-ˌȯf

Definition of shutoff

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : something (such as a valve) that shuts off

2 : stoppage, interruption

shut off

verb

shut off; shutting off; shuts off

Definition of shut off (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to close off : separate —usually used with from shut off from the rest of the world

2a : to cut off (a flow or passage) : stop shuts off the oxygen supply

b : to stop the operation of (something, such as a machine) shut the motor off

intransitive verb

: to cease operating : stop shuts off automatically

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about shutoff

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Examples of shutoff in a Sentence

Noun

the utility company threatened them with the shutoff of electricity if the bills weren't paid

Verb

threatened to shut off peace talks if the other side kept making unreasonable demands shut off the computer to save electricity

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Step 9: Connect the water supply line to the shutoff valve. — Candace Braun Davison, House Beautiful, "How to Install a Toilet," 9 Apr. 2019 So far, the system has adapted to power failures, including one triggered by a smoke alarm on the station (a false alarm), and another one that happened when an astronaut accidentally kneed the system’s emergency power shutoff. — Mary Beth Griggs, The Verge, "A supercomputer on the ISS will soon be open for science experiments," 1 Nov. 2018 Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), announced the shutoff Wednesday. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Lead in US school water “disturbing”—Detroit just shut off all fountains," 31 Aug. 2018 Next, clean and flux a shutoff valve for the cold side and slide it over the tubing end place and solder it in place. — Steve Willson, Popular Mechanics, "How To Install An Electric Water Heater," 24 Aug. 2018 While there are no national data on shutoffs, some utilities say their numbers are rising. — David Harrison, WSJ, "Why Your Water Bill Is Rising Much Faster Than Inflation," 15 Mar. 2018 An Oakland program has enabled the utility district to reduce the number of shutoffs to 10,952 last year from 13,400 in 2014, according to EBMUD General Manager Alexander Coate. — David Harrison, WSJ, "Why Your Water Bill Is Rising Much Faster Than Inflation," 15 Mar. 2018 There is also evidence that the Atlantic circulation is weakening again, although scientists certainly do not think a total shutoff is imminent, and are still debating the causes of what is being observed. — Christopher Mooney, BostonGlobe.com, "Scientists may have solved a huge riddle that led to more than 1,000 years of cold on Earth. It doesn’t bode well," 12 July 2018 Some exceptions Hand watering with a spray nozzle that has an automatic shutoff valve is always allowed. — Mark Skoneki, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Why do Central Floridians water their lawns during rain storms? Let nature keep the grass green," 6 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Water lines were expected to be shut off temporarily as crews attempted to fix the issue. — Brieanna J Frank, azcentral, "Inmates at Douglas prison given bottled water after municipal issue causes low water pressure," 8 June 2019 Driven gingerly, the system can shut off the V-8 at high speeds while coasting or braking to a stop at lower speeds, allowing the 0.9-kWh battery to temporarily run the GLE580 like an EV. — Clifford Atiyeh, Car and Driver, "he 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE580 Has a Hybrid V-8 More Powerful Than an AMG GT," 22 May 2019 Most internet services and text messaging remained shut off for a 13th day. — Gabriele Steinhauser, WSJ, "Congo Opposition Candidate Fayulu Appeals Election Results," 12 Jan. 2019 The mice in the study showed an increase in the hormone noradrenaline when their noses were shut off. — Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "Bad News: Smelling Food Could Make You Gain Weight," 10 July 2017 How the electricity sometimes got shut off at home. — Helen Ubiñas, Philly.com, "A brother makes a choice for himself, and the brother he lost to gun violence | Helen Ubiñas," 1 June 2018 After an image showing the Web address of the ransom page for the Atlanta Samsam infection leaked, as CSO's Steve Ragan reported, the page was shut off by the attackers. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "Baltimore’s 911 system, Boeing join Atlanta in week of crypto-malware outbreaks," 29 Mar. 2018 President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who took office in December, triggered the monthlong crisis with a high-profile decision to shut off key pipelines, in an effort to thwart fuel thieves known as huachicoleros. — Robbie Whelan, WSJ, "Mexico Cut Off U.S. Oil Imports as Fuel Ran Low," 31 Jan. 2019 Start by turning the thermostat all the way down to shut off the heating system. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Silence a Noisy Steam Radiator," 11 Dec. 2018

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