work stoppage

noun

: concerted cessation of work by a group of employees usually more spontaneous and less serious than a strike

Examples of work stoppage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The new rule, which would be put in place if there’s a work stoppage, would allow the officiating department in New York to step in and correct obvious errors made by replacements. —Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026

The expiration of the collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players union in December has turned the possibility — or even the given — of a work stoppage next offseason into the proverbial elephant in the clubhouse. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026

Better-than-even odds of a work stoppage in 2027 make this season more high stakes than is normally the case. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

More fun thinking about those possibilities than work stoppages or, worse, a start so awful that Chris Young sells off deGrom, Eovaldi, Seager and Lord knows who else. —Kevin Sherrington mar. 25, Dallas Morning News, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

work stoppage

noun

: a cessation of work by employees as a job action

Note: Work stoppage is often used to refer to a cessation of work that is less serious and more spontaneous than one referred to as a strike. As used in the Labor Management Relations Act strike refers to “any…concerted stoppage of work by employees…and any concerted slowdown or other concerted interruption of operations by employees.”