outage
OW-tij
/ˈaʊ.tɪdʒ/
A period when a power supply or other public utility service is short or unavailable.
Refers to a temporary interruption in utility service (power, water, internet).
The story behind the word. Coined in American English in the early 20th century as electric lighting and telegraph networks expanded, describing moments when power went 'out'.
Word relationships
- blackout: Specifically refers to a total loss of electrical power.
- interruption: A broader term for any temporary halt in activity.
- uptime: Time during which a machine or system is functioning and available.
- continuity: Unbroken and consistent operation over time.
Commonly confused with
- shortage: A shortage means limited availability of goods over time, while an outage is a sudden complete stoppage of utility delivery.
Collocations
- power outage
- service outage
- unplanned outage
- widespread outage
Example sentences
- "The severe winter storm caused a widespread power outage affecting over fifty thousand residents." Public Utilities
- "An unexpected server outage disrupted online banking services for several hours on Monday." Technology
Memory hook
When power goes OUT, you suffer an OUTage. When the lights go dark.
When not to use
Do not use to describe emotional exhaustion or personal fatigue.
Fun facts
- The largest power outage in history occurred in India in July 2012, affecting over 620 million people.
Related words
Explore more words
downtime, standstill, cessation, hiatus, congestion, discontinue
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