outage

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈaʊtɪdʒ/
• American: OUT-ij

Origin

From "out" + "-age" (suffix indicating a state or condition), first used in the early 1900s specifically relating to electrical power interruptions.

Meanings

1. A period when a service (especially electricity, water, or other utilities) is not available
2. A temporary suspension or failure of power supply or other essential services
3. An interruption in regular operation or functionality

Example Sentences

1. "The storm caused a power outage that affected thousands of homes."
2. "The website experienced an outage lasting several hours."
3. "Internet outages can severely disrupt business operations."
4. "The cellular network suffered a brief outage during peak hours."

Related Words

• Forms: outages (plural)
• Synonyms:
  • blackout (for electricity)
  • downtime
  • interruption
  • breakdown
  • disruption
  • failure

Memory Tricks

1. Think "OUT of usAGE" - when something is out of use or service
2. Remember that an outage is when something goes "OUT" and you can't enGAGE with it
3. Picture a light switch in the "out" position causing darkness - a power outage

Usage Notes

• Most commonly used in context of utility services and technology
• Often paired with specific services: "power outage," "internet outage," "network outage"
• Frequently used in news reports and technical communications