Kill Switch

Beginner 💻 Tech / IT

Definition

An emergency switch that cuts off power or stops a machine or system immediately, typically used as a safety feature in dangerous equipment. In software and security contexts, it can refer to a mechanism to disable or terminate a process, program, or service.

Example Usage

The emergency responders activated the kill switch to shut down the malfunctioning machinery before anyone got hurt.

Origin

Named for its function of 'killing' or terminating operation; emerged as a formal safety term in industrial and automotive contexts by the mid-20th century.

Fun Fact

Modern vehicles often have kill switches that cut the fuel pump in case of an accident, preventing fires by stopping fuel flow to the engine.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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