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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of stoppage

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

Example Sentences

The work stoppage was first called on Feb. 17, after the staff union alleged that management had no intention to reach an agreement on the pending contract.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Just when it looked like the evening's pantomime villain would be an unlikely match-winner, White was penalised for a lunge on Federico Vinas in stoppage time.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

But this week, when they finally struck a tentative deal, it did more than avoid the embarrassment of a work stoppage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

The Seagulls were trailing to Bukayo Saka's ninth-minute goal when they pushed forward in the third minute of first-half stoppage time.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 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