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
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
Richard Ramos, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Utilities also can’t disconnect service on Fridays, weekends or holidays, must account for households with special medical needs, and often offer third-party notification programs so another person can receive shutoff warnings.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
If the patient moves, the system can react instantly, shutting off the beam to help prevent harm to healthy tissue, according to a press release.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shutoff
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Noun
The water agency's statement comes months after nearly 200 households in Diablo Grande received water shutoff notices after Western Hills raised monthly water rates to more than $600.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Utilities also can’t disconnect service on Fridays, weekends or holidays, must account for households with special medical needs, and often offer third-party notification programs so another person can receive shutoff warnings.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
This device recognizes when nature brings the water that your lawn needs and shuts off automatic sprinklers.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
If the patient moves, the system can react instantly, shutting off the beam to help prevent harm to healthy tissue, according to a press release.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shutoff
Cite this Entry
“Shutoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shutoff. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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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