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
Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Authorities warn of extreme fire danger and possible power shutoffs
A large swath of southwest California is under red flag warnings through Wednesday, meaning there is a high risk for rapid fire growth if a fire starts.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025
Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
The property’s decline came to a head when the mall closed for three days in February 2024 after the building’s electricity was shut off due to the owner’s failure to pay the utility bill.
—Tyler Williams, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
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
With the aid shutoff, the number of rockets for HIMARS systems, which have a sixty-mile range, will also dwindle.
—Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Authorities warn of extreme fire danger and possible power shutoffs
A large swath of southwest California is under red flag warnings through Wednesday, meaning there is a high risk for rapid fire growth if a fire starts.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
Last week, a federal judge questioned government attorneys about why DOGE needs access to Social Security Administration systems, and is still considering whether to shut off access.
—Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
The property’s decline came to a head when the mall closed for three days in February 2024 after the building’s electricity was shut off due to the owner’s failure to pay the utility bill.
—Tyler Williams, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shutoff
Cite this Entry
“Shutoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutoff. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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
Share