To save this word, you'll need to log in.
ceased; ceasing
Definition of cease
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to cause to come to an end especially gradually : no longer continue
they were forced to cease operations cease to exist
1a : to come to an end
the fighting gradually ceased
b : to bring an activity or action to an end : discontinue they have been ordered to cease and desist
cease
nounDefinition of cease (Entry 2 of 2)
: cessation —usually used with withoutI kept an eye upon her without cease— R. L. Stevenson
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share cease
Time Traveler for cease
The first known use of cease was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century