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

1. equipment failure resulting when the supply of power fails
   • the ice storm caused a power outage