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

But either side is now able to initiate a work stoppage. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Bellinger has the right to opt out after the 2027 or 2028 seasons to become a free agent again, but if there is a work stoppage that leads to no games being played in 2027, the agreement specifies the opt outs will shift to after the 2027 and 2028 seasons. —Ronald Blum, Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 2026

The Liberty are set to begin the WNBA’s 30th season on May 8 — if the league and the WNBPA are able to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement and avoid work stoppage. —Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026

Owners who salivate over the idea of such a system increasing their franchise values seem to forget that a prolonged work stoppage would set those values back. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 16 Jan. 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.”