1. extortion of money through threats or intimidation
Usage: informal
2. thorough searches of a person or place, especially by authorities
3. test runs or trial periods to identify problems before full operation

Examples

• The corrupt officials were arrested for running shakedowns on local businesses.
• Prison guards conducted routine shakedowns of the cells.
• The new aircraft underwent several shakedowns before commercial flights began.
• We set up shakedowns in the living room for our overnight guests.
• The investigation revealed a pattern of shakedowns targeting immigrant shop owners.
• Security performed shakedowns of all visitors entering the facility.
• The software company scheduled shakedowns to test the new system.