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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An additional 284 were non-operational because of ash, debris, power outages or a lack of potable water, according the California Department of Social Services. Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025 As seen in screenshots posted to Reddit, that includes in-game credits, tokens, and special variants for accounts that were created in the US or that showed US activity in the 30 days prior to the outage. Wes Davis, The Verge, 25 Jan. 2025 With winter freeze advisories comes the potential for power outages and food shortages. Kayla Hui, Verywell Health, 24 Jan. 2025 The storm swept across five states with destruction from historic rainfall, flooding, power outages and 140 mph winds. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near outage

Cite this Entry

“Outage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outage. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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