cord-cutting
noun
cord-cut·ting
ˈkȯrd-ˌkə-tiŋ 
variants
or less commonly cord cutting
: the act or process of canceling a subscription to cable television or to a landline telephone service
As cable news begins to feel the squeeze from cord-cutting, arch-rivals Fox News and CNN are stepping up efforts to adapt to the trend that poses a long-term threat to their businesses.—
Stephen Battaglio
Stephen BattaglioAlthough broadband rates don't appear to be rising substantially as a whole, there's a chance that cord cutting could someday lead providers to increase monthly Internet bills to mitigate the loss of cable customers, according to a MoffettNathanson report.—Makeda Easter
Makeda EasterThe majority of Americans … now rely solely on wireless telephones. That watershed cord-cutting moment was reached in the last half of 2016, according to the federal government.—Jan Cottingham
Jan CottinghamExamples of cord-cutting in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In a time of great upheaval for RSNs due to cord-cutting and lengthy carriage disputes, Wisnia said NESN controls its own destiny.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Like the position cable TV held before cord-cutting, consumers will keep subscribing to Netflix in a weakening economy.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Tune-in over the years has continued to defy gravity despite cord-cutting.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
The cords in [Result of some cord-cutting, informally] are umbilical cords, and the result is an INNIE belly button.
—Deb Amlen, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cord-cutting
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Like the position cable TV held before cord-cutting, consumers will keep subscribing to Netflix in a weakening economy.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Tune-in over the years has continued to defy gravity despite cord-cutting.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
The cords in [Result of some cord-cutting, informally] are umbilical cords, and the result is an INNIE belly button.
—Deb Amlen, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cord-cutting
Cite this Entry
“Cord-cutting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cord-cutting. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share