1
: the act or action of cutting off
2
a
: the new and relatively short channel formed when a stream cuts through the neck of an oxbow
b
c
: a channel made to straighten a stream
3
: a device for cutting off
4
a
: something cut off
b
cutoffs plural
: shorts originally made from jeans with the legs cut off at the knees or higher
5
: the point, date, or period for a cutoff
cutoff
adjective
cut off; cutting off; cuts off
1
: to bring to an untimely end
Each one of those names reflects a life that was prematurely cut off …—
John Kerry
John Kerry2
: to stop the passage of
cut off communications
4
: discontinue, terminate
cut off a subscription
6
a
: disinherit
threatened to cut him off without a penny
b
: to refuse to serve (someone) more alcohol
The bartender cut them off.
7
a
: to stop the operation of : turn off
cut off the engine
b
: to stop or interrupt while in communication
the operator cut me off
: to cease operating
Synonyms
Examples of cutoff in a Sentence
Noun
a cutoff of the water supply
The cutoff for new applications is next Wednesday.
Verb
the majority party cut off debate and forced a vote on the bill
the dog cut off the one sheep that had to be sheared
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
The brand’s new stocking line uses cutoff fabrics from its nightwear collections to create sustainable holiday pieces.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024
Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Her body was eventually tossed off a cliff but the teens returned later and mutilated her corpse, cutting the body at least 180 times, removing a portion of a lung and cutting off her fingers, court records show.
—Marty Roney, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cutoff 
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Noun
Experts told Newsweek that coming from North Korea's cutoff society, there may be issues with communication and working smoothly alongside Russian forces.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
The brand’s new stocking line uses cutoff fabrics from its nightwear collections to create sustainable holiday pieces.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Earlier this week, Bangladesh's High Court ordered a high-level probe into the conglomerate’s power supply deal to the country—as the Adani group threatened to cut off power supply to the country over $850 million in unpaid dues.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Her body was eventually tossed off a cliff but the teens returned later and mutilated her corpse, cutting the body at least 180 times, removing a portion of a lung and cutting off her fingers, court records show.
—Marty Roney, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cutoff
Dictionary Entries Near cutoff
Cite this Entry
“Cutoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutoff. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cutoff
1 of 2 noun
cut·off
ˈkət-ˌȯf 
1
a
: the action of cutting off
b
: the point or date that cutting off occurs
2
: a device for cutting off
3
plural
: shorts made from jeans with the legs cut off short
cutoff
adjective
cut off
2 of 2 verbˌkət-ˈȯf
1
: to stop the flow or movement of
cut off a supply
2
: isolate
cut off from the world
3
: discontinue sense 2
they cut off relations with us
4
: to stop from talking
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