What does sunsetting mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈsʌn.sɛtɪŋ/

Part of Speech

Noun or Verb

Definition

Noun: The process of replacing an old technology, system, or service with a new one, often resulting in the cessation of support or maintenance for the old technology, system, or service. This can be done for a variety of reasons, including the need to upgrade infrastructure, improve efficiency, or reduce costs.

Verb: To replace an old technology, system, or service with a new one.

Examples

Due to sunsetting of the old software, the company had to switch to a new system.
The hospital announced the sunsetting of the dated MRI machine and its replacement with a new, state-of-the-art model.
The IT department sunsented the old server and its legacy applications.

Synonyms

Retirement
Replacement
Migration

Antonyms

Launch
Introduction
Sustainment

Etymology

The term ‘sunsetting’ originated in the context of programming and technology, where it described the gradual cessation of support for an old technology or system. The term is thought to have been derived from the idea of the ‘sunset’ of a system’s life cycle, where it slowly fades away as a new system or technology takes its place.

Usage Notes

The term ‘sunsetting’ is typically used in formal and technical contexts, such as in the fields of technology, business, and healthcare. It can be used in both active and passive voice, for example: ‘The company sunsets the old system’ or ‘The old system is being sunset.

Cultural References

The term ‘sunsetting’ has been mentioned in various business and technology publications, and it is often discussed in the context of digital transformation and technological advancements.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Force-retire
Sunset a service
Legacy system

Related Words or Phrases

Outsourcing
Privatization
Abandon

Collocations

Software sunsetting
System sunsetting
Service sunsetting

Frequency of Use

The term ‘sunsetting’ is becoming increasingly popular in modern language, particularly in the context of technology and business. Its usage is expected to continue growing as more companies and organizations undergo digital transformation and technological advancements.

Common Misspellings

Sunsetting -> Sun-seting
Sunestting -> Sunest-ing
Sundtesting -> Sund-testing