cease-and-desist order

[ sees-uhn-di-zist, -sist ]

noun

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cease-and-desist order¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

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

From Salon

Henry had filed a cease-and-desist order against Payne, alleging he had repeatedly contacted her, People reported.

From Los Angeles Times

A week later, passersby reported seeing continued work, prompting the coastal commission to send Sable a cease-and-desist order.

From Los Angeles Times

The following January, Sánchez went public with her own project, going on to publish her book last week despite a cease-and-desist order Zabel obtained in April against Sánchez’s publisher the Collective Book Studio.

From Los Angeles Times

According to a document provided by Folkes, in early November NBC’s then-vice president for legal affairs, Shelly Tremain, sent him a cease-and-desist order and said the network would seek to recover $1 million if he kept talking about his participation in the series or violating his “application agreement.”

From Seattle Times