brownout
noun
brown·out
ˈbrau̇-ˌnau̇t 
: a period of reduced voltage of electricity caused especially by high demand and resulting in reduced illumination
Examples of brownout in a Sentence
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In simple terms, that means less power for increasingly electricity-hungry tech and manufacturing sectors, and a growing population—meaning higher power bills for everyone, and possible shortfalls and brownouts.
—
Jordan Blum, Fortune, 3 July 2025
During past brownouts, including amid the Great Recession, the seven trucks saw their service calls more than triple, Olyer said.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025
Aside from the economic argument, new renewable power systems–particularly solar–have also helped prevent brownouts from California to Texas to New England.
—Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Sometimes those spikes can ask too much of the grid and lead to brownouts or blackouts.
—Johanna Mathieu, The Conversation, 11 June 2025
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Jordan Blum, Fortune, 3 July 2025
During past brownouts, including amid the Great Recession, the seven trucks saw their service calls more than triple, Olyer said.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025
Aside from the economic argument, new renewable power systems–particularly solar–have also helped prevent brownouts from California to Texas to New England.
—Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Sometimes those spikes can ask too much of the grid and lead to brownouts or blackouts.
—Johanna Mathieu, The Conversation, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for brownout
Cite this Entry
“Brownout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brownout. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brownout
noun
brown·out
ˈbrau̇-ˌnau̇t
: a reduction in the use or availability of electric power
also
: a period of dimmed lighting resulting from such reduction
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