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

Fans who fear Major League Baseball is headed toward a work stoppage because the collective-bargaining agreement ends later this year could not have liked the events of the past week. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026

Yep, that’s a good reason to provoke a work stoppage. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 29 May 2026

That was the sport’s ninth work stoppage and first since a 7 1/2-month strike in 1994-95 caused cancellation of the World Series for the first time since 1904. —Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026

That likely would extend a work stoppage well into next season. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 May 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.”