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 labor market remains a weak spot, with employment numbers showing a slowdown in hiring during the second half of 2025. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025

From consumer perceptions of the slowdown and their spending habits to tackling pricing and marketing, this series set the scene for a tumultuous 2025. —Emily Forkan, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025

Changing consumer habits have also played a role in the slowdown. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025

While headlines focused on the handful of companies pulling back on sustainability, or on a slowdown in clean tech growth, globally, the story was different. —Andrew Winston, Fortune, 21 Dec. 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