shutdown

1 of 2

noun

shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n 

: 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

Synonyms of shutdown

Noun

• cessation
• halt
• ending
• closure
• end
• close
• conclusion

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

Meanwhile, at least two diamond mines have announced permanent shutdowns in 2026. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026

Revenue suffered during the shutdown, burying the company in a hole of debt with little chance of climbing out. — Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Verb

After three years in which California’s salmon fishery was shut down almost entirely, the commercial fleet returned to the Pacific this year. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Atlanta closed out its last home regular-season game with a strong 106-81 finish to shut down the Chicago Sky. — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1888, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1779, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for shutdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

shutdown

noun

shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n 

: an ending of an activity