work stoppage

noun

: concerted cessation of work by a group of employees usually more spontaneous and less serious than a strike

Examples of work stoppage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That number would be even higher if not for concussions and NHL work stoppages. —Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025

Given that both big- and small-market owners are grousing about the Dodgers ruining baseball, MLB, perhaps spearheaded by Monfort, is headed for a work stoppage after the 2026 season. —Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2025

Eventually, Angga and other fishermen banded together for a work stoppage, demanding to be allowed to leave the vessel. —Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025

The upcoming baseball calendar indicates the Basic Agreement between players and owners expires on Dec. 1, 2006 but Snitker doesn’t worry about a potential work stoppage. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

work stoppage

noun

: a cessation of work by employees as a job action

Note: Work stoppage is often used to refer to a cessation of work that is less serious and more spontaneous than one referred to as a strike. As used in the Labor Management Relations Act strike refers to “any…concerted stoppage of work by employees…and any concerted slowdown or other concerted interruption of operations by employees.”