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
Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
The site also includes a seven-day forecast, outage maps, preparation tips and information about community resource centers that PG&E opens during shutoffs.
—Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
The crew will shut off all gas lines, electrical circuits and breaker switches connected to the equipment.
—Nick Perry, USA Today, 28 May 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
At the same time, 674 Bay Area customers still were without power Monday afternoon because of a public safety power shutoff by PG&E, which cited safety concerns amid conditions that can cause fires.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
The site also includes a seven-day forecast, outage maps, preparation tips and information about community resource centers that PG&E opens during shutoffs.
—Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
Verb
Smart power strips can help reduce energy waste by automatically shutting off devices not in use.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
The crew will shut off all gas lines, electrical circuits and breaker switches connected to the equipment.
—Nick Perry, USA Today, 28 May 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 30 May. 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
