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

Noun

• arrest
• arrestment
• cease
• cessation
• check
• close
• closedown
• closure
• conclusion
• cutoff
• discontinuance
• discontinuation
• end
• ending
• expiration
• finish
• halt
• lapse
• offset
• shutoff
• stay
• stop
• stoppage
• surcease
• termination

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

McNally blames that mismatch on the shutdown of refineries around the United States as forecasters projected weaker gasoline demand due to the rise of electric vehicles. —Matt Egan, CNN Money, 20 May 2025

The last of the businesses at the once-popular Festival Marketplace mall in Pompano Beach are packing up to leave as the decades-old retail spot that hosted boutiques, jewelers, electronics, furniture shops and eateries nears a June 1 shutdown. —David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025

Verb

Particularly in less densely populated parts of America, plenty of government officials and citizens still hold a grudge over the way businesses and schools were temporarily shut down. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 May 2025

Georgie suits up and makes his best pitch to a loan officer at the local bank, but is shut down. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 May 2025

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