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
Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
Utilities also can’t disconnect service on Fridays, weekends or holidays, must account for households with special medical needs, and often offer third-party notification programs so another person can receive shutoff warnings.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Slip on an eye mask and feel your way through a wall of surprise elements like robber gorilla hands, fuzzy fabric, and sneakers, shutting off one sense and heightening another.
—Liz Regalia, Parents, 3 Mar. 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
The businesses in an industrial park on the outer edge of Fort Collins are banding together and expressing their frustrations about recent power shutoffs by Xcel Energy.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
Utilities also can’t disconnect service on Fridays, weekends or holidays, must account for households with special medical needs, and often offer third-party notification programs so another person can receive shutoff warnings.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Strait of Hormuz, a key transit point, is effectively shut off.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Slip on an eye mask and feel your way through a wall of surprise elements like robber gorilla hands, fuzzy fabric, and sneakers, shutting off one sense and heightening another.
—Liz Regalia, Parents, 3 Mar. 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 9 Mar. 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
