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 Rockies are weighing the side effects of a work stoppage against the value of exposing Condon to big league pitching as the franchise focuses on building up its core moving forward. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2026

Major league baseball players went on strike for the sport’s eighth work stoppage since 1972. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

That work stoppage lasted three days before the sides came to an agreement. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

The New York Times first reported the partial work stoppage at 750 Third Avenue on Wednesday. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 30 July 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.”