ceased: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “ceased” mean?
Stopped, came to an end.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Stopped, came to an end; brought an activity, state, or existence to a conclusion.
Can imply a permanent or formal end, often used for processes, conditions, rights, or functions. May carry a sense of finality or official termination.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in core usage. Slightly more common in formal British administrative/legal contexts.
Connotations
Similar connotations of finality and formality in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in formal writing; 'stopped' is overwhelmingly more common in speech for both.
Grammar
How to Use “ceased” in a Sentence
cease + -ing (ceased working)cease + to-infinitive (ceased to function)cease + noun (ceased all activity)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ceased” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Hostilities ceased at midnight under the new truce.
- The factory ceased production of the model last year.
American English
- The newspaper ceased publication in 1995.
- He ceased all contact after the argument.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverb form 'ceasedly')
American English
- N/A (No standard adverb form 'ceasedly')
adjective
British English
- N/A (No standard adjective form 'ceased')
American English
- N/A (No standard adjective form 'ceased')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The company ceased trading after the merger was finalized.' Refers to the formal end of commercial activity.
Academic
'Cognitive development ceases to follow that pattern after adolescence.' Used for processes or trends ending.
Everyday
'The rain finally ceased around noon.' Formal alternative to 'stopped'.
Technical
'The engine ceased due to a catastrophic lubrication failure.' Often implies a permanent mechanical stop.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ceased”
- Incorrect: *'He ceased to talk for a minute.' (Use 'stopped' for short pauses). Correct: 'He ceased all communication with them.'
- Incorrect: *'The music was ceased.' (Usually not used in passive with an impersonal subject). Correct: 'The music ceased.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Ceased' is more formal and implies a final, often permanent, end to a state or process. 'Stopped' is general and can be temporary or permanent, used in all registers.
Yes. 'Ceased working' and 'ceased to work' are often interchangeable, though '-ing' can emphasize the action itself, and the infinitive can sound slightly more formal/literary.
No, it's relatively uncommon. Native speakers typically use 'stopped', 'ended', or 'finished' in casual conversation. 'Ceased' is more characteristic of writing, news reports, or formal announcements.
No. It can be voluntary ('The publisher ceased printing the book') or involuntary ('His heart ceased beating'). The focus is on the fact of ending, not the cause.
Stopped, came to an end.
Ceased is usually formal, neutral in register.
Ceased: in British English it is pronounced /siːst/, and in American English it is pronounced /siːst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Cease and desist”
- “Cease-fire”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CEASED' as 'SEE' + 'SED' (like 'said'). Imagine someone formally saying, "I see it's ended." The -ED ending confirms it's in the past.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / PROCESS IS MOVEMENT. 'Ceased' conceptualizes an ongoing process as movement; to cease is for that movement to come to a final halt.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'ceased' used most appropriately?