shut; shutting
1
a
: to move into position to close an opening
shut the lid
b
: to prevent entrance to or passage to or from
2
: to confine by or as if by enclosure
shut herself in her study
3
: to fasten with a lock or bolt
4
: to close by bringing enclosing or covering parts together
shut the eyes
5
: to cause to cease or suspend an operation or activity
—often used with down
1
: to close itself or become closed
flowers that shut at night
2
: to cease or suspend an operation or activity
—often used with down
Examples of shut in a Sentence
Verb
He shut his eyes and went to sleep.
She shut the book loudly.
I accidentally shut the door on her fingers.
flowers that shut at night
The door shut slowly behind me.
The owner is shutting the pub for the weekend.
They plan to shut the factory by the end of the year.
Adjective
She listened to the music with her eyes shut.
Check to make sure that all the windows are shut.
Recent Examples on the Web
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Dec. 2025
Reacting to the shootings that killed one member of the West Virginia National Guard and left the other in critical condition, the president has claimed that proper vetting was not done and vowed to shut the door on immigration from certain countries, including the suspect's native Afghanistan.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2025
Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2025
Local roads, including South Topeka Avenue, were closed and were expected to remain shut through Saturday night for investigation purposes, local news station WIBW reported.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 1 Dec. 2025
Chelmon Luggage Strap 4-pack Help your luggage stand out from the rest at baggage claim with this pack of four brightly colored straps that work double duty to also keep your bag securely held shut.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shut
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
For some North Carolina residents, there are protections in place to prevent utility disconnections during winter and spring, and utility companies must follow protocols before shutting your power off.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Dec. 2025
Reacting to the shootings that killed one member of the West Virginia National Guard and left the other in critical condition, the president has claimed that proper vetting was not done and vowed to shut the door on immigration from certain countries, including the suspect's native Afghanistan.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2025
Adjective
While most parks will be re-opening, some may remain shut due to prescheduled closures.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2025
Local roads, including South Topeka Avenue, were closed and were expected to remain shut through Saturday night for investigation purposes, local news station WIBW reported.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
Noun
In effect co-sponsoring six emissions-reduction programs involving target-setting and low-hanging-fruit tweaks like automating shut-offs to conserve energy and insulating hot water pipes and steam valves.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 1 Dec. 2025
Chelmon Luggage Strap 4-pack Help your luggage stand out from the rest at baggage claim with this pack of four brightly colored straps that work double duty to also keep your bag securely held shut.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shut
Cite this Entry
“Shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shut. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
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