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

McConnell finally closed the loophole late last year by inserting a hemp THC ban into a measure that ended the longest government shutdown in history. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

In my experience, many corporate teams drift between sympathetic over-activation (burnout) and dorsal shutdown (disengagement). — Roy Ward, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Verb

And on Wednesday, Bos and nearly 1,400 other people were laid off from their jobs as the Navistar truck factory in southwestern Ohio shut down. — Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

The communication was better and so was the defense, but the offense was shut down most of the game. — Steve Stein, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 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