brownout

Plural: brownouts

Noun

• A reduction in electrical power, causing dimmed lights and voltage drops.
• darkness resulting from the extinction of lights (as in a city invisible to enemy aircraft)
• A period of low alternating current line voltage, causing a reduction in illumination.
• A temporary dimming of vision, usually with a brown hue and accompanied by loss of peripheral vision or tunnel vision.
• A temporary closing of a fire station, usually due to budget restrictions.
• A power outage during the day; distinguished from a blackout, which occurs at night.
• A moment or period where something is weakened, diminished or less effective.
• A blackout, regardless of time of day.

Examples

• Fire departments across the country have been forced to rely on rolling brownouts because of the recession.
• His Words With Friends app experienced a BROWNOUT, causing a momentary panic during a crucial turn.
• On rising suddenly from her chair she experienced a brownout and had to sit down again quickly.
• When demand for electricity exceeds the available supply, a brownout occurs.

Synonyms

blackout, dimout, grayout, greyout

Related Words

whiteout