shutdown
UK: ˈʃʌtdaʊn | US: ˈʃʌtdaʊn
n. the act of closing or stopping the operation of a machine, system, or organization
n. a period when work or activity is stopped, often due to a dispute or lack of funding
vt. to cause a machine, system, or organization to stop operating
The word "shutdown" combines "shut," derived from Old English scyttan (to close or bar), and "down," from Old English dūne (lower position or cessation). The compound emerged in the early 19th century, originally describing machinery cessation (e.g., steam engines). By the 20th century, it expanded to organizational closures, reflecting industrial and bureaucratic contexts. The logic is straightforward: "shut" implies sealing or stopping, while "down" emphasizes a state of inactivity.
The factory announced a temporary shutdown due to maintenance.
Government agencies faced a shutdown during the budget dispute.
Always shut down your computer properly to avoid data loss.
The reactor's emergency shutdown prevented a major accident.
The team decided to shutdown the project after repeated failures.