cutoff

A point beyond which something stops or is no longer allowed.

• The cutoff is at noon.
• Is there an age cutoff for this competition?
• Applications received after the cutoff will be rejected.

How to use it: cutoff for something (Friday is the cutoff for applications.)

Similar words: limit, deadline, endpoint

Common phrases: cutoff date, age cutoff, cutoff point

A road, path, or water channel that provides a shorter route.

• Take the cutoff to save time.
• This cutoff avoids the busy main road.
• The river formed a new cutoff across the bend.

Similar words: shortcut

Opposites: detour

Common phrases: take the cutoff, river cutoff, mountain cutoff

A device that stops electricity from flowing.

• The safety cutoff stopped the motor.
• An automatic cutoff prevents the heater from overheating.
• Check that the electrical cutoff works before starting repairs.

Similar words: cutout, circuit breaker

Common phrases: automatic cutoff, safety cutoff, emergency cutoff

A device that saves steam by controlling when it enters an engine cylinder.

• The cutoff controls steam entering the cylinder.
• The engineer adjusted the cutoff to save steam.
• A faulty cutoff reduced the engine's efficiency.

Common phrases: steam cutoff, adjust the cutoff, engine cutoff

Marking the point or time at which something ends or is no longer allowed.

• The cutoff date is Friday.
• We missed the cutoff time for registration.
• They set a cutoff age of eighteen.

Similar words: limiting, final

Common phrases: cutoff date, cutoff time, cutoff point

Describing a test value used to decide whether a disease or condition is present.

• The test uses a cutoff score of ten.
• Results above the cutoff value suggest an infection.
• Changing the cutoff level affects how many cases are detected.

Common phrases: cutoff score, cutoff value, cutoff level