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 brothers, through their lawyer Norberto Cisneros, said the sculpture’s delay stemmed from inflation, difficulties in obtaining materials and work stoppages during the COVID-19 pandemic. —Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025

Released first report on work stoppages. —Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025

The biggest sticking point for a work stoppage during the offseason is the disruption of free agency. —Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Last year, the government forced the country’s two major railroads into arbitration with their labor union during a work stoppage. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 17 Aug. 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.”