verb
shunt
shuhnt
Shunt (verb) means to move something (often a train) onto a different track or path. Example: “The freight train was shunted onto a side track to let the express pass.”
verb
1
To move something (often a train) onto a different track or path.
"The freight train was shunted onto a side track to let the express pass."
2
To divert something to a less important place or role.
"The complaint was shunted off to a junior staffer."
noun
1
A device or connection that provides an alternative path, such as for electric current or in the body.
"Doctors inserted a shunt to relieve pressure on the brain."
2
A minor traffic collision.
"She was in a small shunt on the motorway but wasn't hurt."
How to use shunt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo divert something onto another path — a train, electric current, body fluid, or blame — or a minor bump between cars.
UK vs US
"Shunt" for a minor car crash is chiefly British usage.
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Word forms
- Plural
- shunts
- Third person singular
- shunts
- Past tense
- shunted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The freight train was _____ onto a side track to let the express pass.
Etymology
From Middle English words meaning "to jerk, swerve, dodge," possibly linked to "shun."
Synonyms
View more →
bypass
electrical shunt
Related words
Rhymes for shunt
See all rhymes for shunt →Frequently asked questions
What does “shunt” mean?
The word “shunt” means to move something (often a train) onto a different track or path. In plain terms, to divert something onto another path — a train, electric current, body fluid, or blame — or a minor bump between cars.
How do you pronounce “shunt”?
“Shunt” is pronounced shuhnt (/ʃʌnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “shunt” in a sentence?
Here is “shunt” used in a sentence: “The freight train was shunted onto a side track to let the express pass.”
What part of speech is “shunt”?
Depending on how it is used, “shunt” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “shunt” come from?
The word “shunt” comes from Middle English. From Middle English words meaning "to jerk, swerve, dodge," possibly linked to "shun.".
How many meanings does “shunt” have?
“Shunt” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move something (often a train) onto a different track or path.
