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
Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025
Dry, windy weekend heightens California’s wildfire risks, triggering power shutoffs for thousands.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 4 July 2025
Each crew will engage in activities such as raising the sails, moving cargo and exploring areas of the 1863 ship that are normally shut off to the public.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shutoff
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Noun
San Diego was spared from the most destructive elements, but no less than six waves of San Ana winds — some surpassing 100 mph in places such as Sill Hill in the Cuyamaca Mountains — led SDG&E to issue two separate public safety power shutoffs over the course of an unprecedented three weeks.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025
Dry, windy weekend heightens California’s wildfire risks, triggering power shutoffs for thousands.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
Verb
The data shows the number of riders increases in the evening hours on Fridays, peaking at 10 p.m. before the scooters are shut off at 11 p.m..
—David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 4 July 2025
Each crew will engage in activities such as raising the sails, moving cargo and exploring areas of the 1863 ship that are normally shut off to the public.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 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 8 Jul. 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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