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

Iranians were able to place some international phone calls Tuesday for the first time since authorities imposed a sweeping communications shutdown amid a violent crackdown on anti-government protests. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026

During a similar shutdown amid economic protests in 2019, authorities subsequently used live fire against demonstrators. —Karl Vick, Time, 13 Jan. 2026

Verb

Tuffy’s performance just about shut down what Eagles (9-12-1) head coach Katie Crowley called maybe their most complete game of the year yet. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026

Once the facilities, known as the Santa Ynez unit and the Las Flores Pipeline system, were shut down after the 2015 oil spill, the pipelines' previous owner cancelled the tariffs with FERC. —Molly McCrea, CBS News, 13 Jan. 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