outage

noun

out·​age ˈau̇-tij How to pronounce outage (audio)
1
: a quantity or bulk of something lost in transportation or storage
2
a
: a failure or interruption in use or functioning
b
: a period of interruption especially of electric current

Examples of outage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Once a tank is activated, solar panels and backup batteries ensure the system can be used during power outages. Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025 The social network had been hit with an outage earlier in the week on Thursday, May 22. Mike Snider, USA Today, 24 May 2025 Foul play is suspected in a massive power outage across the South of France on Saturday that has hit the final day of the Cannes Film Festival. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 May 2025 Due to the power outage, many restaurants closed or went cash only. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for outage

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outage was in 1851

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Cite this Entry

“Outage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outage. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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