slowdown

noun

slow·​down ˈslō-ˌdau̇n 

: a slowing down

a business slowdown

Synonyms of slowdown

• decline
• deceleration
• slump
• drop
• retardation

Examples of slowdown in a Sentence

The business had a slowdown after the holidays.

disease experts are encouraged by the recent slowdown in the spread of the virus

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2022, Gap sold its China business to e-commerce firm Baozun in a $40 million all-cash deal after experiencing a slowdown in its business and an inability to connect with Chinese consumers. — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

Starting in 2021, China’s real estate slowdown weakened domestic demand for steel, cement, and other construction materials. — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026

As for footwear sales in the region, the second quarter saw a slowdown of sales of high-heat product, alongside tougher comparatives and ongoing softness in end-of-cycle footwear product lines. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

The production slowdown was deepened by a shortage of raw plastic materials, triggered by ongoing shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which cut off petrochemical exports to North Africa for bottle manufacturing. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for slowdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

slowdown

noun

slow·​down ˈslō-ˌdau̇n 

: a slowing down

Legal Definition

slowdown

noun

slow·​down ˈslō-ˌdau̇n 

: a slowing down of business operations by employees