stalled

American  

[stawld] / stɔld /

adjective

1. stuck or not moving; at a standstill.

   A spacewalk will be required to repair the stalled robotic arm on the space station's solar array.

   Intense storm systems along the stalled cold front have dropped heavy rains throughout the metro area.

2. (of a motor or vehicle) having come to a stop because of engine failure or a poor fuel mixture.

   Rain and sleet smack the surface of the lake as Jules fumbles with a stalled outboard motor.

3. (of an aircraft or airfoil) no longer generating lift due to an excessive angle of attack.

   At a sustained high angle the airfoil becomes useless, resulting in a stalled aircraft.

4. kept in a stall, a compartment usually intended for the accommodation of one animal.

   Our overwhelming first impression is of the piquant smell of sheep blending with the manure of the stalled oxen and a milk cow.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of stall.

Etymology

Origin of stalled

stall ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Stalled shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has re-stoked inflation, with Brent crude 11% higher than at the start of last week.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

Stalled talks have moved to the fact-finding stage.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2026

Stalled ; The State Department said June 19 it would resume student-visa interviews, with expanded screening of applicants' social-media accounts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2025

Stalled organ donation laws for Northern Ireland will progress this week after a last-minute intervention by the government, BBC News NI has learned.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2023

Stalled oxen, with or without hatred, were not nowadays in his line.

From Anthony Lyveden by Yates, Dornford

Related Words

• frozen
• immobile
• inert
• lifeless
• paralyzed
• stagnant
• stationary
• steadfast