cease-and-desist order: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Legal, Formal Business, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “cease-and-desist order” mean?
A legal order issued by a court or government agency commanding a person or entity to stop an illegal activity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A legal order issued by a court or government agency commanding a person or entity to stop an illegal activity.
A formal, binding injunction that prohibits specified conduct, often used in intellectual property, harassment, or regulatory violation cases. It is a preliminary step before potential litigation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The procedural mechanisms for obtaining one may vary between jurisdictions, but the term is identical.
Connotations
Associated with serious legal consequences and formal disputes in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in legal and business contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “cease-and-desist order” in a Sentence
[Entity/Authority] issued a cease-and-desist order against [Target/Entity] for [Activity/Infringement].The [Target] was served with a cease-and-desist order.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cease-and-desist order” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company decided to cease and desist the unauthorised use of the logo after the ruling.
American English
- The attorney advised her client to cease and desist all communications immediately.
adjective
British English
- They received a cease-and-desist notice from the solicitor's firm.
American English
- The blogger took down the content after getting a cease-and-desist letter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common in corporate disputes over trademarks, patents, or unfair competition.
Academic
Used in law, business, and media studies discussing intellectual property or regulatory enforcement.
Everyday
Rare. Might appear in news reports about high-profile legal cases.
Technical
A specific type of preliminary or permanent injunction in civil procedure.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cease-and-desist order”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cease-and-desist order”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cease-and-desist order”
- Writing it without hyphens ('cease and desist order').
- Confusing it with a simple 'warning letter' (which lacks direct court authority).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They cease-and-desist-ordered him' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is typically a pre-litigation step. A lawsuit may follow if the order is ignored, but the order itself is a command, not the filing of a formal case.
It can be issued by a court judge (a court order) or by a government agency (like a regulatory body). Lawyers often send 'cease-and-desist letters' which are demands, but only a court or agency can issue a binding 'order'.
You may be held in contempt of court (if it's a court order), face fines, or be subject to further legal action, including a lawsuit where your violation will be used against you.
Yes. The recipient can contest it in court, arguing that the activity is legal or that the order was improperly issued. They should seek legal counsel immediately.
A legal order issued by a court or government agency commanding a person or entity to stop an illegal activity.
Cease-and-desist order is usually legal, formal business, journalistic in register.
Cease-and-desist order: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsiːs ən dɪˈzɪst ˈɔːdə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsiːs ən dɪˈsɪst ˈɔːrdər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “slap with a C&D”
- “C&D letter (informal precursor)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a police officer saying, 'CEASE what you're doing!' and then adding, 'And DESIST from ever doing it again!' — that's the ORDER.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEGAL ACTION IS A PHYSICAL BARRIER / FORCED STOP.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a cease-and-desist order?