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

The reduction correlates to the elimination of FDA support staff roles, or personnel who booked travel and carried out food testing for contamination, creating an administrative slowdown to efficiently carry out key safety and inspection protocol. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026

Though job creation held positive, August was the smallest gain since January and reflective of a broader slowdown in the labor market. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

What remains of the rock by this stage shrinks rapidly, also slowing significantly, with this slowdown occurring faster if the rock has fragmented more successfully. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

If the nation or city experiences an economic slowdown, rents and real estate values could soften in New York City. — Remy Raisner, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 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