power outage
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - A period when the supply of electrical power fails; a blackout: A "power outage" is an equipment failure or interruption where electricity is not available from the main supply network.
Usage
- This term is used to describe an unplanned, temporary loss of electrical power in a specific area or building.
- It is a countable noun. You can have , , or talk about .
- It is commonly used in news reports, official statements, and everyday conversation to explain disruptions caused by storms, accidents, or grid failures.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- "Widespread/Rolling power outage": An outage affecting a large area, or a series of intentional, temporary outages used to manage high demand on the electrical grid.
- The heat wave led to widespread power outages across the state.
- "To experience a power outage": A common collocation meaning to undergo a blackout.
- Our neighborhood experienced a power outage for six hours.
Variants and Related Words
- Blackout (noun): A synonym for a complete power outage, often implying a wider area or total darkness.
- Brownout (noun): A reduction in voltage, causing lights to dim, rather than a complete loss of power.
- Outage (noun): A more general term for a period when a service (like power, internet, or water) is unavailable.
- Power cut (noun): A chiefly British English synonym for "power outage."
- Power failure (noun): A phrase often used interchangeably with "power outage," sometimes emphasizing the cause as an equipment malfunction.
Synonyms
- Blackout
- Power cut (UK)
- Power failure
- Electrical outage
Related Phrases
- To be without power: A phrase describing the state caused by an outage.
- We were without power for most of the day.
- The power is out: A common informal way to state that an outage is occurring.
- I can't work because the power is out.
Noun
- equipment failure resulting when the supply of power fails
- the ice storm caused a power outage