3K

Outage

UK //ˈaʊteɪdʒ//US //ˈaʊteɪdʒ//

Definition

A temporary interruption in a service or functionality.

In simple words: A time when something stops working or is not available.

Examples

  • The power outage lasted for several hours last night.
  • During the internet outage, many people struggled to work from home.
  • The server outage caused significant delays in processing requests.
  • Residents were informed about the planned outage for maintenance.
  • The utility company reported an outage affecting several blocks.
  • After the storm, there was a widespread outage across the region.

Usage notes

Use 'outage' in contexts related to power, internet, or service disruptions. It's neutral and suitable for both written and spoken situations, especially in technical or business contexts.

Grammar pattern

outage + object

Memory hint

Sounds like 'out-age' – picture an old technology that has stopped working.

Collocations

  • power outage
  • service outage
  • internet outage
  • planned outage
  • widespread outage

Synonyms

  • interruption
  • failure
  • disruption
  • breakdown
  • stop

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'outreach' - they have different meanings.
  • Using 'outage' with non-specific contexts, it often relates to services.
  • Omitting the context, as 'outage' always needs an identifier, like 'power' or 'internet'.