noun
shutdown
noun
1
The act of stopping something from operating, such as a computer, factory, or government.
"The plant announced a temporary shutdown due to the strike."
"Restart the computer after the shutdown completes."
2
A sharp reply or comment that ends an argument in the speaker's favor.
"Her comeback was such a shutdown that he had nothing left to say."
How to Use Shutdown
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTurning something off or bringing it to a halt — a machine, a business, or an argument.
Common pairings
government shutdown
system shutdown
total shutdown
Word Forms
shutdowns plural
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The plant announced a temporary _____ due to the strike.
Etymology
From the phrasal verb "shut down."