shutoff

noun shut·off \ ˈshət-ˌȯf \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Examples: shutoff in a Sentence

Definition of shutoff

1 : something (such as a valve) that shuts off

2 : stoppage, interruption

See shutoff defined for kids

Examples of shutoff in a Sentence

the utility company threatened them with the shutoff of electricity if the bills weren't paid

Recent Examples of shutoff from the Web

Some exceptions Hand watering with a spray nozzle that has an automatic shutoff valve is always allowed.

— mark skoneki, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Why do Central Floridians water their lawns during rain storms? Let nature keep the grass green," 6 July 2018
Another round of shutoffs happened on Dec. 14 and 15, hitting 650 customers.

— david r. baker, SFChronicle.com, "For PG&E, cutting power could prevent fires and save lives — and costs," 23 June 2018
Water shortages are a familiar challenge for large cities in India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil: São Paulo, a city of 12 million people, came within 20 days of a complete shutoff in 2015, but was saved in the nick of time by rains.

— jonah shepp, Daily Intelligencer, "Cape Town’s Water Crisis Should Be a Warning to the World," 6 Feb. 2018
Administrative officials are also increasing water shutoffs for residents with outstanding balances for more than seven months.

— Fox News, "Flint implements programs to keep water fund out of the red," 17 May 2018
But opponents of the shutoff program say that the city should instead focus on creating a water-affordability plan.

— anne branigin, The Root, "More Than 17,000 Detroit Homes at Risk for Water Shutoff: Report," 26 Mar. 2018
Investigators also have interviewed the accident pilot, who had told city officials that a passenger’s bag might have hit the emergency fuel shutoff.

— bart jansen, USA TODAY, "FAA bans open-door helicopter flights after New York City crash," 16 Mar. 2018
Self defense: Police: Tax man shot, killed a disgruntled client threatening people with 2 handguns The crash may have been caused by a passenger's bag that inadvertently hit the emergency fuel shutoff button, USA Today reported.

— vic ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, "Butler grad among those killed in New York helicopter crash," 13 Mar. 2018
In-line tests would be regularly required and all such pipelines would be required to have a shutoff switch in case of an emergency.

— todd spangler, Detroit Free Press, "U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop proposes pipeline safety bill for Great Lakes," 19 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shutoff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of shutoff

1847

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

shutoff Synonyms

shut off

verb

Definition of shut off

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to cease operating : stop

shuts off automatically

See shut off defined for kids

Examples of shut off in a Sentence

threatened to shut off peace talks if the other side kept making unreasonable demands
shut off the computer to save electricity

Recent Examples of shut off from the Web

The deputy then shut off his emergency lights and stopped following the vehicle, police said.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Orland Park man dies after car found wrecked in ditch, police say," 10 July 2018
Clerk-Treasurer Kristie Dressel said the water was shut off at a certain point.

— michelle l. quinn, Post-Tribune, "Alternative materials sought for Crown Point sewer projects," 11 June 2018
Trains could automatically slow to a halt, street lights could turn red to stop traffic and valves on pipelines could shut off.

— alex demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Tantalizing’ clues could lead to earthquake forecasts, UAF researchers say," 5 June 2018
The letter gave the residents 30 days to fix the problems or face having their water shut off and being fined daily.

— robert rhoden, NOLA.com, "Tammany Utilities accused of falsifying reports, bullying citizens," 7 May 2018
Well, shutting off the testosterone valve has, historically, been pretty disastrous.

— sarah jacoby, SELF, "Hold On Everyone, Male Birth Control Still Isn't Happening Anytime Soon," 22 Mar. 2018
The 10-inch pipeline was immediately shut off after the signal per protocol.

— sarah bowman, Indianapolis Star, "More than 40,000 gallons of diesel spill in southwest Indiana, cleanup underway," 21 Mar. 2018
All 12 gas lines in the area were shut off by about 9:30 p.m.

— NBC News, "Sun Prairie, Wisconsin explosion: Firefighter dies after natural gas main erupts," 11 July 2018
All 12 gas lines in the area were shut off by about 9:30 p.m. The blast, about half a block from City Hall, appeared to be centered on the Barr House, a pub.

— CBS News, "Natural gas explosions rock Madison, Wisconsin suburb, level buildings," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shut off.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.