slowdown

noun

slow·​down ˈslō-ˌdau̇n 

: a slowing down

a business slowdown

Synonyms

• 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

And despite the market uncertainty that’s proving to be hard to shake, Sethi added, the slowdown in new demand for circular materials has been accompanied by an increase in interest in those same materials. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 28 Oct. 2025

One need only look at this year’s crises in universities and the slowdown in hiring entry-level graduates for a sense of this. —Bipul Sinha, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025

Unlimited or high-priority data allowances help rural households avoid slowdowns and surprise fees. —Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025

With fears of a broader economic slowdown looming, both sides have moderated their tone. —Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025

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