stoppage

American  

[stop-ij] / ˈstɒp ɪdʒ /

noun

1. an act or instance of stopping; stop; cessation of activity.

   the stoppage of all work at the factory.

2. the state of being stopped.

   During the stoppage of bus service he drove to work.

---

stoppage British  

/ ˈstɒpɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act of stopping or the state of being stopped

2. something that stops or blocks

3. a deduction of money, as from pay

4. an organized cessation of work, as during a strike

---

Etymology

Origin of stoppage

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; stop, -age

Example Sentences

CAF stripped Senegal of its title on March 17, over the team's angry departure from the pitch after a penalty was awarded to Morocco late in second-half stoppage time.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The optics of a work stoppage are not good for anyone, Pereira said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Talk will now turn to bigger fights and world-titles after the unbeaten prospect recorded his 12th stoppage in 14 professional fights.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

A stoppage of the Windsor plant could result in layoffs that extend beyond the factory and into suppliers that make other parts for the Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Charger.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Yes, there was warning—years of it, in fact—but public service announcements about conservation are a whole lot different from a total stoppage.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Related Words

• blockage
• closure
• interruption
• layoff
• lockout
• shutdown
• walkout