Synonyms of shutoffnext
1
: something (such as a valve) that shuts off
2

shut off

2 of 2

verb

shut off; shutting off; shuts off

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: 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
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
On Saturday, counties with a shutoff warning included Alameda, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Merced, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Shasta and Tehama counties, according to PG&E’s website. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026 The compact, rechargeable design features a digital display, preset selector and automatic shutoff. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
About 4,000 customers who lost power earlier this week could be shut off again. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Safety experts argue that this is a key point at which a system could slip out of human control, because once copies are running in places their creators don’t know about, they can’t easily be tracked down or shut off. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shutoff

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1818, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shutoff was in 1818

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Shutoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutoff. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

shutoff

1 of 2 noun
1
: something that shuts off
2
: an instance of shutting off : interruption, stoppage

shut off

2 of 2 verb
ˌshət-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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