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
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
Add a shutoff valve and a flush valve to each garden bed.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
ABC News, 14 May 2026
Tehran cemented its grip on the Strait of Hormuz; a few more tankers managed to pass through in the last few days, albeit only by either negotiating in advance with Iran, or by shutting off their transponders and racing through.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shutoff
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Noun
Electric stovetops have a similar feature in the form of an automatic shutoff.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
Add a shutoff valve and a flush valve to each garden bed.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Verb
But busy airports will be allowed to shut off scanners when needed this summer, officials say.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
Tehran cemented its grip on the Strait of Hormuz; a few more tankers managed to pass through in the last few days, albeit only by either negotiating in advance with Iran, or by shutting off their transponders and racing through.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 14 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 16 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
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