cord-cutting
noun
cord-cut·ting
ˈkȯrd-ˌkə-tiŋ 
variants
or less commonly cord cutting
: the act or process of canceling a subscription to cable television or to a landline telephone service
As cable news begins to feel the squeeze from cord-cutting, arch-rivals Fox News and CNN are stepping up efforts to adapt to the trend that poses a long-term threat to their businesses.—
Stephen Battaglio
Stephen BattaglioAlthough broadband rates don't appear to be rising substantially as a whole, there's a chance that cord cutting could someday lead providers to increase monthly Internet bills to mitigate the loss of cable customers, according to a MoffettNathanson report.—Makeda Easter
Makeda EasterThe majority of Americans … now rely solely on wireless telephones. That watershed cord-cutting moment was reached in the last half of 2016, according to the federal government.—Jan Cottingham
Jan CottinghamExamples of cord-cutting in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The layoffs, confirmed by an executive not authorized to comment publicly, are aimed at improving efficiency across the company as cable TV revenues sink because of cord-cutting.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Average ratings for the NBA Finals have been on a steady decline over the last decade, which has coincided with cord-cutting and fewer homes with cable TV.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Over the last 10 years, cord-cutting has reduced the number of cable homes MSNBC reaches by 33%.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
What finally worked was more cord-cutting, other streamers raising their prices even more, and downsizing the content offering to save money.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cord-cutting
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Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Average ratings for the NBA Finals have been on a steady decline over the last decade, which has coincided with cord-cutting and fewer homes with cable TV.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Over the last 10 years, cord-cutting has reduced the number of cable homes MSNBC reaches by 33%.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
What finally worked was more cord-cutting, other streamers raising their prices even more, and downsizing the content offering to save money.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cord-cutting
Cite this Entry
“Cord-cutting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cord-cutting. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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