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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Amid the ongoing labor negotiations in baseball, which is widely expected to result in a work stoppage this winter, MLB agreed to trim the requirement to five years for players over 30 years old. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2026 The 2021-22 work stoppage lasted 99 days, and a new CBA was signed on March 10. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026 According to the club, mid-market teams will feature season ticket prices 40% higher than the Rockies in 2027, though uncertainty exists with that number because of a potential work stoppage. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026 Let’s hope both sides can start negotiating in earnest and make the game better while preventing any type of work stoppage, though that seems unlikely, and keep the interest of the fans first. — Jim Bowden, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for work stoppage

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of work stoppage was in 1943

Browse Nearby Words

work stone
work stoppage
work-stopper
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Work stoppage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/work%20stoppage. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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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.”

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