shutdown

1 of 2

noun

shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce shutdown (audio)
Synonyms of shutdown
: the cessation or suspension of an operation or activity

shut down

2 of 2

verb

shut down; shutting down; shuts down

intransitive verb

: to settle so as to obscure vision : close in
the night shut down early

transitive verb

: to make ineffective in competition
shut down the opposition's offensive line

Synonyms of shutdown

Relevance

Noun

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Examples of shutdown in a Sentence

Noun the shutdown of the factory the factory resumed operation after a brief shutdown for repairs
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
But in the end, too many obstacles got in the way, including the government shutdown and the Pineapple Express storm in December 2025 that damaged one of the ski lifts. — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026 The post from Arc announcing its shutdown has faced significant pushback from users who claim Dia isn't as useful to them, with many asking the brand to open-source its original browser. — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
The globally-minded tech news startup Rest of World is scrambling to find a new home — or faces the prospect of shutting down. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Don’t hide files or shut down computers; doing so would look like obstruction. — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shutdown

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1888, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1779, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of shutdown was in 1779

Rhymes for shutdown

See All Rhymes for shutdown

Browse Nearby Words

shut away
shutdown
shut down
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shutdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutdown. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shutdown

noun
shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce shutdown (audio)
: an ending of an activity
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