noun Uncommon

outage

OW-tihj

Outage (noun) means a period during which a service, especially electricity, is not working. Example: “The storm caused a power outage across half the city.”

noun

A period during which a service, especially electricity, is not working.

"The storm caused a power outage across half the city."

"Engineers scheduled a brief outage overnight for maintenance."

How to use outage

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA break in service — most often power, internet, or a similar utility.

Common pairings

power outage internet outage scheduled outage

Word forms

outages plural

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Fill the gap

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The storm caused a power _____ across half the city.

Etymology

Formed from "out" plus the suffix "-age," on the model of "shortage."

Rhymes for outage

age wage cage page rage gage sage mage usage image stage adage

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Frequently asked questions

What does “outage” mean?

The word “outage” means a period during which a service, especially electricity, is not working. In plain terms, a break in service — most often power, internet, or a similar utility.

How do you pronounce “outage”?

“Outage” is pronounced OW-tihj (/ˈaʊ.tɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “outage” in a sentence?

Here is “outage” used in a sentence: “The storm caused a power outage across half the city.”

What part of speech is “outage”?

“Outage” is a noun.

Is “outage” a common word?

“Outage” is an uncommon word in modern English.