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Definition of outage

outage

/ˈaʊ.tɪdʒ/
out · age
Plural:outages
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outage Lexical Profile

outage Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A period of time when a power supply, telecommunications network, computer system, or other public utility is unavailable or not operating.

Example

"The severe thunderstorm caused a widespread power outage that left thousands of homes in the dark for several hours."

2

A loss or diminution in the quantity of a bulk commodity, especially liquid or grain, occurring during transportation or storage due to leakage, evaporation, or settling.

Example

"The shipping inspector measured the outage in the oil barrels to determine how much liquid had been lost during the ocean voyage."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for outage

• Nearby Words

out
out of
out of sight
outage
outardes river
outargue
outback

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 19th century, the word was formed in English from the adverb and adjective "out" combined with the noun-forming suffix "-age" (modeled on words such as "shortage" and "leakage"). Originally used in commerce to denote the amount of bulk goods lost during transport or storage, it came to refer to an interruption of electrical power or machinery operation in the early 20th century.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Outage. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/outage
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