shut-in

1 of 3

noun

ˈshət-ˌin How to pronounce shut-in (audio)
Synonyms of shut-innext
1
: a person who is confined to home, a room, or bed because of illness or incapacity
2
: a narrow gorge-shaped part of an otherwise wide valley
3
: available oil or gas which is not being produced from an existing well

shut-in

2 of 3

adjective

ˈshət-ˈin How to pronounce shut-in (audio)
1
: confined to one's home or an institution by illness or incapacity
2
a
: secretive, brooding
… a bitter, shut-in face.—Claudia Cassidy
b
: tending to avoid social contact : withdrawn
… the shut-in or seclusive type of personality …—S. K. Weinberg

shut in

3 of 3

verb

shut in; shutting in; shuts in

transitive verb

1
: confine, enclose
2
: to prevent production of (oil or gas) by closing down a well

Examples of shut-in in a Sentence

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
Iran has plenty of experience dealing with shut-ins and restarts. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 27 May 2026 Her brother, Casey (Spike Fearn), is an agoraphobic shut-in failing to confront his mounting mental-health crises. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
But those projections rest on several assumptions, including that shut-in oil production will peak in early April and transit through the Strait of Hormuz will improve. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 31 Mar. 2026 Hamad Hussain, climate and commodities economist at Capital Economics, pointed out in a separate note Monday that tankers need to fill up on gulf supplies in order for shut-in production to restart. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shut-in

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shut-in was in the 14th century

Rhymes for shut-in

See All Rhymes for shut-in

Browse Nearby Words

shut-eye
shut-in
shut in
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shut-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shut-in. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shut-in

noun
ˈshət-ˌin
: a sick person unable to go outdoors

Medical Definition

shut-in

1 of 2 noun
ˈshət-ˌin How to pronounce shut-in (audio)
: a person who is confined to home, a room, or bed because of illness or incapacity

shut-in

2 of 2 adjective
ˌshət-ˌin How to pronounce shut-in (audio)
1
: confined to one's home or an institution by illness or incapacity
2
: tending to avoid social contact : withdrawn
diagnostic and prognostic significance of the shut-in personality type—S. K. Weinberg

More from Merriam-Webster on shut-in

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shut-in

Nglish: Translation of shut-in for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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