power failure
15
3.4
- noun
- /ˈpaʊər ˈfeɪljər/
:
corte de electricidad
- A power failure at the hospital caused delays in the surgery schedule.
- an unexpected power failure
It resembles the power failures in continental wide power Nets.
- It resembles the power failures in continental wide power Nets.
Examples
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-Okay, now, in the event of a power failure, the backup generator will kick in, so we won't be left in the dark.
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Among the "little things" is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which provides system backup during power failures and smooths out power-source hiccups.
Academic text (2007) -
I read there was a terrible power failure in California.
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I think this power failure has just happened.
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A power failure due to a heavy storm.
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And as the population ages, power failures become more dangerous.
Blog text (18) -
We've got a power failure on our hands.
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I keep a week's supply of no-prep required foods on hand, mainly due to power failures.
Blog text (1) -
We had a system-wide power failure last night, so everybody has their knickers in a twist.
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Oh, useful tip: in a power failure, cordless phones don't work because they require AC power.
Blog text (1)
Synonyms
96
4.0
A time when a service like electricity or a website is not available
87
3.9
A time when the power goes off and places go dark
53
3.0
A time when the electricity goes off
4
6.8
A sudden loss of electricity that makes a place dark
How Severe
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an interruption in the supply of electricity' is directly derivable from combining 'power' (electrical supply) with 'failure' (loss of normal function). This is a straightforward, compositional noun-noun compound common in English and other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.
Etymology
Power failure comes from the simple image of electric power that 'fails' and the failure makes lights and machines go dark. That's why it means 'electricity has stopped' in an area.