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
Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Power shutoffs affected more than 2 million customers in 2019.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Wcco Staff, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
It was built to prioritize home heating assistance – not cooling – and help for people in immediate danger of having life-preserving utilities shut off.
—Diana Hernández, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shutoff
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The reasons for the possible shutoff include flooding and saturated ground that leads to safety concerns around electrical equipment and infrastructure.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Power shutoffs affected more than 2 million customers in 2019.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
The fire department and CenterPoint Energy were able to shut off the leak, police say.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
It was built to prioritize home heating assistance – not cooling – and help for people in immediate danger of having life-preserving utilities shut off.
—Diana Hernández, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shutoff
Cite this Entry
“Shutoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutoff. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
