1
: something (such as a valve) that shuts off
2
shut off; shutting off; shuts off
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
: to cease operating : stop
shuts off automatically
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
Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 7 May 2025
Florida is home to over 1.43 million veterans, and in 2019, over one-quarter reported living in households experiencing financial hardship, increasing their chances of experiencing a utility shutoff.
—Chelsea Rivera, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
An 80 percent tariff, while a big drop from the current 145 percent, would still most likely shut off most trade between the countries.
—Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shutoff
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Noun
Its implementation was interrupted by a complete statewide moratorium on water shutoffs during the COVID pandemic.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 7 May 2025
Florida is home to over 1.43 million veterans, and in 2019, over one-quarter reported living in households experiencing financial hardship, increasing their chances of experiencing a utility shutoff.
—Chelsea Rivera, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
These can all be symptoms of the menopause transition, a natural process that a woman goes through as her brain and body wind down and eventually shut off the ability to reproduce.
—Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
An 80 percent tariff, while a big drop from the current 145 percent, would still most likely shut off most trade between the countries.
—Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shutoff
Cite this Entry
“Shutoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutoff. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 verbˌshət-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
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