general strike

noun

1. a mass strike in all or many trades and industries in a section or in all parts of a country.

general strike

noun

1. a strike by all or most of the workers of a country, province, city, etc, esp ( caps. ) such a strike that took place in Britain in 1926

general strike

1. A strike of all of the workers in a nation or area. General strikes are usually brief and designed to show the unity of the working class.

Word History and Origins

Origin of general strike¹

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

Example Sentences

In Israel, a one-day general strike is due to be held in Sunday in protest of the government's plan to seize Gaza City.

From BBC

The mother of one of the hostages has called for a general strike in Israel, although the country's main labour union will not back it, according to the Times of Israel.

From BBC

When I think about the problem of a general strike right now, what I think about is the ask unions would make, or what the general public wants.

From Slate

That’s when Nelson—a flight attendant and president of the Association of Flight Attendants—first made the case for a general strike.

From Slate

And some say that will lead to a general strike that will bring everything grinding to a halt.

From Salon