Blackout: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when there is a complete and sudden loss of electricity, often affecting a large area or many people.

• During the storm, the entire city experienced a blackout that lasted for hours
• The sudden blackout left us in complete darkness

Use interchangeably with 'blackout' to describe a complete loss of electrical power in a specific area.

• The power outage affected the entire neighborhood for several hours
• Due to the power outage, all the stores had to close early

Use as a general term to describe any situation where electricity stops working, regardless of whether it's complete or partial.

• There was an electricity failure in the building, so we had to use flashlights
• The cause of the electricity failure is still under investigation

Use when there is a partial and temporary drop in voltage in an electrical power supply. It's often less severe than a blackout and may result in dimming lights but not a total loss of power.

• The factory had to shut down some of its machines during the brownout to save power
• The constant brownouts were affecting the performance of electrical appliances

Please note, 'blackout' appears twice in your input. The previously provided information applies.

• She experienced a blackout after standing up too quickly.
• The city suffered a blackout during the storm.

This phrase is used in more formal or medical contexts to describe a state where someone becomes temporarily unaware of their surroundings and unable to respond to stimuli. It is often applied in clinical or emergency situations.

• The athlete had a sudden loss of consciousness during the marathon.
• Doctors monitored the patient for any sign of loss of consciousness.

Amnesia refers specifically to partial or total loss of memory. It is often used in medical or psychological contexts and usually involves the inability to recall past events. This term does not inherently carry negative connotations but can imply a serious condition.

• The patient suffered from amnesia after the accident.
• Amnesia prevented her from recalling her childhood.

Memory lapse describes a temporary and often minor failure to recall or retain information. It is commonly used in everyday language and does not necessarily imply a serious medical condition.

• I had a memory lapse and forgot where I parked my car.
• She experienced a brief memory lapse during the test.

Used to describe a temporary loss of vision or memory, often related to medical conditions, excessive alcohol consumption, or intense emotions.

• During the storm, there was a power blackout in the entire city.
• He had a blackout and couldn't remember anything from the night before.

Commonly used when someone briefly loses consciousness due to lack of oxygen, low blood pressure, or emotional distress. Often implies a quick recovery.

• She felt dizzy and then fainted during the concert.
• He fainted from the heat but recovered quickly after being moved to a cooler place.

A more casual and colloquial term, often used similarly to 'faint', but can also refer to falling asleep abruptly due to exhaustion or intoxication.

• He drank so much that he passed out on the couch.
• She passed out from the shock of the news.

A formal and medical term used to describe a complete and often prolonged state of being unresponsive. It can be due to various serious health issues.

• The patient lost consciousness after the accident and was rushed to the hospital.
• It's crucial to seek medical help immediately if someone loses consciousness.