shutdown

USAGE SUMMARY

'shutdown' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb to refer to ending operation of a system or service, for example: "The company took the difficult decision to issue a shutdown on its website due to growing security threats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite the president's deliberate attempt to talk down the markets and the media's dramatic warnings of economic Armageddon posed by a mere 17% of the government remaining temporarily idle, the S&P 500 closed at a record high the day after the shutdown ended.

The Guardian - Opinion

Others, such as Rep Michele Bachmann and Senator Ted Cruz, revelled in the government shutdown, then pitched a fit when they discovered that the parks and memorials in DC's care weren't open (logic isn't a Tea Party virtue).

The Guardian - Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 1.45pm ET18:45 Mitch McConnell says there'll be no government shutdown in January.

The Guardian

"I think it was ridiculous," he said of the shutdown.

The Guardian

Carney says the president could not pretend nothing was wrong: The shutdown that we went through had real consequences, real costs.

The Guardian

But the solution is temporary: the next shutdown deadline is 15 January 2014, three months away.

The Guardian

In the meantime, barring a breakthrough in the coming days, "the whole operation may be shutdown regardless" as the May 31 deadline looms closer.

The Guardian

Far-right Republicans have called for an end to such agreements, with government shutdown the presumed result, in protest at President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration and other policies.

The Guardian

Republicans failed in their latest attempt to wield the threat of a partial government shutdown as a weapon of protest against Barack Obama's immigration policies on Monday, with Democrats and the White House increasingly confident they have the upper-hand in the showdown.

The Guardian

Economists were quick to explain away the downturn as a temporary blip, caused by February's freezing weather and the shutdown of shale gas rigs as a result of global oil prices plunging (they have since recovered some ground).

The Guardian - Business

As Congress moves toward a possible shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, in protest at Barack Obama's executive action on immigration, the co-author of a Senate bill that shared many of the president's objectives was always going to have a rough ride at the Conservative Political Action Conference CPACConservative Political Action Conference CPAC

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shutdown" to clearly indicate a cessation of operations, whether for technical systems, governmental functions, or other activities. Ensure the context makes the type of "shutdown" clear.

Common error

Avoid using "shutdown" when a temporary pause or suspension is more appropriate. "Shutdown" implies a more complete and potentially longer-term cessation than a brief interruption.

Linguistic Context

The term "shutdown" primarily functions as a noun, denoting the act of stopping operations or closing down a system, service, or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid term. Examples show its use in contexts ranging from government operations to technical systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "shutdown" is a common noun that refers to the act of stopping operations or closing down a system, confirmed as correct by Ludwig AI. It is predominantly used in News & Media, carrying a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. While there are alternative phrases like "system halt" or "service interruption", "shutdown" offers a straightforward way to convey the cessation of activity. When using the word, make sure that the context is appropriate and does not confuse the word with the concept of a temporary pause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

termination of operations

A more formal and business-oriented way to describe a "shutdown".

service interruption

Focuses on the temporary or permanent cessation of a service.

operations cease

A more direct and concise way of saying "shutdown".

system halt

Replaces the broad term with a technical context, specifically for computer systems.

cessation of activity

Replaces "shutdown" with a broader, more descriptive phrase.

complete cessation

Emphasizes the finality and completeness of the stopping action.

system termination

Focuses on the final action of ending a system's processes.

plant closure

Specifically refers to the closing of a manufacturing or industrial facility.

gridlock

Implies a situation where activity has stopped, often due to political or logistical reasons.

lockdown

Focuses on preventing entry or exit, rather than stopping internal operations.

FAQs

How can I use "shutdown" in a sentence?

You can use "shutdown" to describe the cessation of operations, as in "The government "shutdown" affected many federal employees" or "The system experienced an unexpected "shutdown"".

What is the difference between "shutdown" and "closing"?

"Shutdown" often implies a temporary or reversible cessation, especially in government or technical contexts, while "closing" can suggest a more permanent end to operations. The context dictates which term is more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "shutdown"?

Alternatives include "service interruption", "termination of operations", or "cessation of activity", depending on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is "shutdown" formal or informal?

"Shutdown" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain business or academic settings.