shutoff

1 of 2

noun

shut·​off ˈshət-ˌȯf 

1

: something (such as a valve) that shuts off

2

: stoppage, interruption

shut off

2 of 2

verb

shut off; shutting off; shuts off

transitive verb

1

: to close off : separate

—usually used with from

shut off from the rest of the world

2

a

: 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 of shutoff

Noun

• cessation
• halt
• ending
• end
• shutdown
• closure
• close

Verb

• stop
• cease
• halt
• end
• cut off
• quit
• lay off
• cut out
• leave off

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

People can fill out an online survey about the outages, called public safety power shutoffs. —Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026

Six households — all on the same gas meter — were impacted by the gas shutoff. —Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026

Verb

Know how to shut off water valves, let faucets drip to prevent freezing. —Matt Randolph, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

If the water is shut off, pipes should be fully drained by flushing toilets and running faucets. —Sergio Candido, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1818, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for shutoff

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

shutoff

1 of 2 noun

shut·​off ˈshət-ˌȯf 

1

: something that shuts off

2

: an instance of shutting off : interruption, stoppage

shut off

2 of 2 verb

ˌshət-ˈȯf

1

: to stop the flow of

shut off the water

2

a

: to stop the operation of

shut the motor off

b

: to cease operating

the light shuts off automatically

3

: to make or keep separate

shut off from the rest of the world