1 C1 neutral
to slow down and stop rotating
"The machine needs a few seconds to spin down after you switch it off."
both
spin down
C1 neutral both transitive/intransitive
to slow and stop rotating, or to reduce activity gradually in a technical system
In plain English
to turn more slowly until it stops
What does "spin down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic neutral
to reduce the operating activity of a system, especially by letting rotating components slow or stop
"The server automatically spins the drives down when they are idle."
both
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to spin in a downward or reducing way
Actually means
to turn more slowly until it stops
Usage tip
Mainly technical, especially in computing, electronics, and engineering. Common with hard drives, turbines, and centrifuges.
Words that pair with "spin down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hard drive disk motor turbine fan machine
How to conjugate "spin down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
spin down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spins down
he/she/it
Past simple
spined down
yesterday
Past participle
spined down
have + pp
-ing form
spining down
continuous
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