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
Synonyms
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
Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2024
Richardson said the city urged delinquent customers to make even a partial payment or get help from a local social services agency to avoid a shutoff.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 25 Mar. 2024
Sara Ganim, USA TODAY, 1 July 2024
Lie down there, close my eyes, shut off my mind, and let the sunlight wash over me.
—Haruki Murakami, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for shutoff 
Noun
Adding to the challenges, Wisconsin's winter utility shutoff moratorium has ended
The seasonal moratorium on utility shutoffs for non-payment of electric and gas bills ended Monday.
—Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2024
Richardson said the city urged delinquent customers to make even a partial payment or get help from a local social services agency to avoid a shutoff.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 25 Mar. 2024
Verb
Theoretically, by finding a way to shut off these genes.
—Sara Ganim, USA TODAY, 1 July 2024
Lie down there, close my eyes, shut off my mind, and let the sunlight wash over me.
—Haruki Murakami, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for shutoff
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shutoff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near shutoff
Cite this Entry
“Shutoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutoff. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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
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