cease-and-desist order

American

[sees-uhn-di-zist, -sist] / ˈsis ən dɪˈzɪst, -ˈsɪst /

noun

an order by a government agency to a person or corporation to terminate a business practice found by the agency to be illegal or unfair.

Etymology

Origin of cease-and-desist order

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The bank also agreed to a cease-and-desist order from the Federal Reserve in 2024, which it characterized as similar to actions taken against others in the industry and said would not affect its business.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

People Magazine reported Henry had issued a cease-and-desist order last week against Payne after she alleged he repeatedly contacted her.

From Salon • Oct. 17, 2024

NWA's run-ins with US law enforcement in the 1980s inspired their critically acclaimed album, Straight Outta Compton, but it also led to a cease-and-desist order from the FBI.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2024

Human burials were carried out without issue until 2011, when the cemetery received a cease-and-desist order from the New York Division of Cemeteries, which had become aware of an increase in the practice.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 7, 2024

"On the other side, you'll find a cease-and-desist order."

From The Status Civilization by Sheckley, Robert

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023