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 last time around, in 2023, those bargaining sessions cratered into a five-month strike that marked SAG-AFTRA’s first industry-wide work stoppage since 1980. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025

The Dodgers’ win could very well increase the chance of a work stoppage that wipes out much, if not all, of the 2027 season, said Zimbalist. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025

That’s all great, but the Guardians aren’t ones to make free-agent splashes, and that’s especially the case with a potential work stoppage clouding everything after the 2026 season. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

During her Indiana Fever exit interview earlier this month, Sophie Cunningham warned fans about the looming work stoppage. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025

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.”