cessation

American  

[se-sey-shuhn] / sɛˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a temporary or complete stopping; discontinuance.

   a cessation of hostilities.

   Synonyms:

   recess, stay, suspension, end, halt, stop

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cessation British  

/ sɛˈseɪʃən /

noun

1. a ceasing or stopping; discontinuance; pause

   temporary cessation of hostilities

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Etymology

Origin of cessation

1350–1400; Middle English cessacio ( u ) n < Latin cessātiōn- (stem of cessātiō ) delay, inactivity, stoppage, equivalent to cessāt ( us ) past participle of cessāre to delay, stop ( cess ( us ) yielded, ceded ( ced- cede + -tus past participle suffix) + -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Cessation is an end to something, such as the stopping of a bad habit, like the cessation of smoking. Cessation and cease sound alike and have similar meanings because they both come from the Latin word cessare, which means "to delay, to stop." The cessation can be permanent, such as when the protests resulted in the cessation of the use of baby bunnies to test lipsticks (forever ending the bunny torture); or temporary, such as the cessation of the rain during the storm that let us run to the car without getting wet (but rain, like sunshine, always comes back).

Example Sentences

“As we’ve expressed previously, the very reason for our optimism about a cessation of hostilities is that it would not require a comprehensive peace agreement — with mutual restraint instead being sufficient,” Bishop said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

“The cessation of production from Qatar, one of the biggest natural gas producers in the world, is likely to have wide-ranging ramifications for the market over the coming months,” analysts at ANZ said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

“Without an agreement and a fast cessation of all kinetic activity, the crude market will begin to break in days, and not in weeks or months,” the analysts added.

From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026

In effect, the strait has turned into a parking lot, with an almost complete cessation of ships going through, experts and marine traffic monitoring services say.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

With the cessation of lactation the female reenters somer and becomes once more a perfect androgyne.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin