cutoff

1 of 2

noun

cut·​off ˈkət-ˌȯf How to pronounce cutoff (audio)
1
: the act or action of cutting off
2
a
: the new and relatively short channel formed when a stream cuts through the neck of an oxbow
c
: a channel made to straighten a stream
3
: a device for cutting off
4
a
: something cut off
b
cutoffs plural : shorts originally made from jeans with the legs cut off at the knees or higher
5
: the point, date, or period for a cutoff
cutoff adjective

cut off

2 of 2

verb

cut off; cutting off; cuts off

transitive verb

1
: to bring to an untimely end
Each one of those names reflects a life that was prematurely cut offJohn Kerry
2
: to stop the passage of
cut off communications
3
: shut off, bar
the river cut off their retreat
4
: discontinue, terminate
cut off a subscription
5
: separate, isolate
cut herself off from her family
6
a
: disinherit
threatened to cut him off without a penny
b
: to refuse to serve (someone) more alcohol
The bartender cut them off.
7
a
: to stop the operation of : turn off
cut off the engine
b
: to stop or interrupt while in communication
the operator cut me off

intransitive verb

: to cease operating

Examples of cutoff in a Sentence

Noun a cutoff of the water supply The cutoff for new applications is next Wednesday. Verb the majority party cut off debate and forced a vote on the bill the dog cut off the one sheep that had to be sheared
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Anitta was ultra-punctual, starting her set at exactly 9 p.m. with a prompt cutoff at 10:20 p.m., but the spirit of the room was comparable to that of an underground warehouse rave at dawn: clammy fists pumping above people’s heads, while others chose to go face down, tails wagging in the air. Thania Garcia, Variety, 22 May 2024 The rest of the year, from the second Sunday in March through the first Saturday in November, the cutoff time goes back an hour to 6:59 p.m. Raphael Romero Ruiz, The Arizona Republic, 18 May 2024
Verb
The torrent severed a water main and cut off drinking water to Asheville residents. Craig E. Colten, Discover Magazine, 30 May 2024 Liberal economists also worry about the prospect of China cutting off access to new cars or key components of them, for strategic purposes. Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 27 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for cutoff 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cutoff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1565, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cutoff was in 1565

Dictionary Entries Near cutoff

Cite this Entry

“Cutoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutoff. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

cutoff

1 of 2 noun
cut·​off ˈkət-ˌȯf How to pronounce cutoff (audio)
1
a
: the action of cutting off
b
: the point or date that cutting off occurs
2
: a device for cutting off
3
plural : shorts made from jeans with the legs cut off short
cutoff adjective

cut off

2 of 2 verb
ˌkət-ˈȯf
1
: to stop the flow or movement of
cut off a supply
2
: isolate
cut off from the world
3
: discontinue sense 2
they cut off relations with us
4
: to stop from talking
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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