outage

/ˈaʊdɪdʒ/

/ˈaʊtɪdʒ/

Other forms: outages

An outage is a sudden interruption in a service. An internet outage means you'll have to wait to watch your favorite show online.

You may experience a power outage during a hurricane or snowstorm, when you can’t flip on the lights or use the microwave until crews repair the electrical lines. A computer network or server outage can have many causes (sometimes these are scheduled breaks in service, allowing maintenance to be done). Outages can be annoying and inconvenient, or even dangerous. The American coinage outage, first used in 1903, was modeled on shortage.

Definitions of outage

1. noun

   a temporary suspension of operation (as of computers)
   “there will be a network outage from 8 to 10 a.m.”

   type of:

   breakdown, equipment failure

   a cessation of normal operation
2. noun

   the amount of something (as whiskey or oil) lost in storage or transportation
   type of:

   indefinite quantity

   an estimated quantity