shutdown

1 of 2

noun

shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n 

: 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

Noun

• cessation
• halt
• ending
• closure
• end
• close
• conclusion

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

Noun

Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei, Hawaii, had its natural gas lines temporarily locked because of unpaid utility bills during the DHS shutdown. —Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

After the shutdown intensified, with hourslong lines at airport security screening, the Senate unanimously approved the bipartisan package in a middle of the night vote a month ago. —Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026

Verb

Portions of the line were shut down for ten weeks during the summer of 2024, and the section of the line north of the Bedford-Nostrand Station faced summer shutdowns again last year. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026

Dozens of people wearing masks shut down I-77 to set off fireworks in the middle of the interstate. —Joe Bruno, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1888, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1779, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for shutdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

shutdown

noun

shut·​down ˈshət-ˌdau̇n 

: an ending of an activity