brownout

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "brownout" is correct and usable in written English.
A brownout is an intentional or unintentional drop in voltage in an electrical power supply. It is usually used to describe an event in which the power level falls from its normal level and remains at a lower level for an extended period. For example: "During the heatwave last summer, the city experienced several brownouts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Before deregulation, such links were employed largely for emergencies for when, say, a utility found its voltage dipping precipitously and a brownout imminent.

The Economist

Last year, when he felt that too much emphasis was being placed on the visuals, he instituted a brownout.

The New Yorker

That year your arms and legs begin to give you trouble, occasionally going numb, flickering in and out like a brownout back on the Island.

The New Yorker

A heat wave caused a brownout in New York City, and as it struck, m zero automatically shut itself down, to protect its circuits, and died.

The New Yorker

Sand as fine as moondust posed a brownout hazard.

The New Yorker

"There is no question that the brownout of Engine 44 resulted in Engine 38 having to take a response in that community, and because of that, Engine 38 was now out of position to respond to something that happened just down the street from their fire station".

The New York Times

There was no shortage, no rolling blackout, and no brownout.

The New York Times

Resorts are kept at bay by a lack of commercial flights and the town's creaky infrastructure — there are no A.T.M.'s and the electricity shuts off at dawn, sputtering back on around 4 p.m. Like most of the town's itinerant denizens, I spent the brownout hours swimming with parrotfish and picnicking on a flash of white sand.

The New York Times - Travel

He watched the crowds flood the street like a dam burst on V-E Day — May 8 , 1945— which also marked the end of the wartime brownout, when the lights in Times Square — the billboards, the marquees, the windows in every building that had been dark for three years — blazed once again.

The New York Times

But the station was empty that evening: its engine was in another part of town, on a call in an area usually covered by an engine that had been taken out of service as part of a brownout plan.

The New York Times

And yet there was no shortage, no rolling blackout and no brownout in an area that stretches from Maryland to Chicago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing electrical issues, use "brownout" to specifically describe a reduction in voltage, not a complete outage. This avoids confusion with a "blackout".

Common error

Avoid using "brownout" interchangeably with "blackout". A "brownout" indicates reduced power, whereas a "blackout" signifies a complete loss of electricity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "brownout" is that of a noun. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is used to describe a state or event, specifically a reduction in electrical power supply or, metaphorically, a period of decline or reduced activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "brownout" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that refers to a reduction in electrical voltage or, metaphorically, a period of decline. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and versatile, spanning from technical discussions to everyday conversations. While commonly found in news and business contexts, it's essential to differentiate "brownout" from "blackout", the latter indicating a complete loss of power. Employing "brownout" precisely enhances clarity, and understanding its varied applications allows for effective communication across different scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

voltage drop

Focuses specifically on the electrical aspect of a brownout.

power dip

Highlights the temporary reduction in power.

partial blackout

Emphasizes the similarity to a complete loss of power, but to a lesser degree.

reduced illumination

Describes the effect of a brownout on lighting.

dimming of lights

Specifically refers to the visual effect of reduced power on lights.

decline in performance

Refers to the impact of brownout beyond electrical context, when brownout is used metaphorically.

temporary power reduction

Highlights the temporary nature of reduced power.

power fluctuation

Indicates an unstable power supply, which could lead to a brownout.

energy curtailment

Refers to the proactive measure of reducing energy consumption.

rolling blackout

Indicates a series of planned power outages.

FAQs

How is a "brownout" different from a blackout?

A "brownout" involves a reduction in voltage, causing lights to dim, whereas a blackout is a complete loss of electrical power.

What are some potential causes of a "brownout"?

A "brownout" can occur due to high demand on the power grid, equipment failure, or intentional voltage reduction by utility companies.

What are some synonyms for "brownout"?

Alternatives include "voltage drop", "power dip", or "partial blackout", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "brownout" in a sentence?

Yes, "brownout" is a recognized noun in the English language and is grammatically correct to use in appropriate contexts.