German word

stilllegen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃtɪlˌleːgən/

Meaning

  • verbshut down

Example

Die Werkstatt ist seit einem Monat stillgelegt.

The workshop has been shut down for a month.

Illustration for stilllegen (shut down)

More examples

Aus Umweltschutzgründen wurde die alte Deponie stillgelegt.

For environmental protection reasons, the old landfill was shut down.

Core concept

An industrial site has been taken out of service, leaving its buildings and equipment unused rather than running.

Common phrases

  • die Fabrik stilllegen

    shut down the factory

  • eine Niederlassung stilllegen

    shut down a branch office

  • eine Produktionslinie stilllegen

    shut down a production line

Similar words

einstellen: Stop production or work from continuing.
schließen: Close a shop or facility and end access or business there.
abschalten: Switch off a machine or power supply so it stops operating.
abstellen: Stop using a machine or device temporarily and leave it idle.

Definition in German

Etwas technisch außer Dienst stellen oder dauerhaft aus dem Betrieb nehmen; oft im Zusammenhang mit Anlagen, Maschinen oder Werken gebraucht.

Word origin

"Stilllegen" is a German compound of "still" and "legen" whose literal image is putting something down to rest, later used for facilities and machines removed from operation.

Usage tips

  • The past participle "stillgelegt" commonly modifies equipment, plants, and businesses, while people are not normally described with this verb.

Other meanings

  • stopverb
  • suspendverb

Opposites

  • reaktivierenreactivateverb
  • wieder in Betrieb nehmenput back into operationverb

Related words

  • Stilllegungshutdownnoun
  • Stilllegungsmaßnahmeshutdown measurenoun

Word lists with this word