standstill

noun

stand·​still ˈstan(d)-ˌstil How to pronounce standstill (audio)
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop
brought traffic to a standstill

Examples of standstill in a Sentence

The accident brought traffic to a standstill. battled each other to a standstill
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The next, a data breach or natural disaster brings operations to a standstill. Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 The coordinated effort, which included regular meetings between the NSC, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the State Department, has largely come to a standstill. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 Yam returned to Australia in 2022 after two decades in Hong Kong, after the Chinese territory cracked down on pro-democracy protests that brought the financial center to a standstill in 2019. Reuters, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025 However, since Trump took office on Jan. 20 much of the work has come to a standstill, according to eleven current and former officials, all of whom requested anonymity to discuss classified matters. Erin Banco and Mari Saito, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for standstill

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of standstill was in 1702

Cite this Entry

“Standstill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standstill. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

standstill

noun
stand·​still -ˌstil How to pronounce standstill (audio)
: a state marked by absence of motion or activity : stop
traffic was at a standstill

Medical Definition

standstill

noun
stand·​still ˈstand-ˌstil How to pronounce standstill (audio)
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest
cardiac standstill

More from Merriam-Webster on standstill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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