cessation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “cessation” mean?
the stopping or ending of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the stopping or ending of something.
The state of coming to an end; a pause or break from an activity or condition. Can imply a formal or definitive halt.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Slightly more formal and bureaucratic in both varieties; often found in official, legal, or medical contexts.
Frequency
Equally formal and relatively low-frequency in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “cessation” in a Sentence
Cessation of [NP]Cessation in [NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cessation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company has ceased trading.
- The rain ceased suddenly.
American English
- The company ceased operations last quarter.
- Firefighting efforts ceased at nightfall.
adverb
British English
- The music stopped ceaselessly (incorrect usage – 'ceaselessly' means without stopping).
- The rain fell ceaselessly.
American English
- The protests continued ceaselessly for days.
- He worked ceaselessly on the project.
adjective
British English
- The ceasefire was largely successful.
- This is a non-stop service.
American English
- The cease-fire agreement was signed yesterday.
- He was granted a cease-and-desist order.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The board demanded an immediate cessation of all unauthorised expenditure.
Academic
The study monitored the effects of smoking cessation on pulmonary function over five years.
Everyday
The sudden cessation of the engine noise made everyone look up.
Technical
The treaty mandated a full cessation of nuclear weapons testing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cessation”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cessation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cessation”
- Using it for short, informal breaks (e.g., 'Let's have a cessation for lunch').
- Misspelling as 'ceassation' or 'cessassion'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Cessation' implies a more definitive or complete stopping, often permanent or official. A 'pause' is a temporary stop and is much less formal.
'Of' is by far the most common, as in 'cessation of violence' or 'cessation of activity'.
No. The verb form is 'cease'. 'Cessation' is only a noun.
It is not a high-frequency, everyday word. It belongs to a formal register and is most common in legal, medical, political, and bureaucratic contexts.
the stopping or ending of something.
Cessation is usually formal in register.
Cessation: in British English it is pronounced /seˈseɪʃn/, and in American English it is pronounced /seˈseɪʃn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A cessation of arms”
- “A cessation of all activity”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'cease station' – imagine a train coming to its final stop at a station, a definitive end to its journey.
Conceptual Metaphor
CESSATION IS A LINE BEING CUT / CESSATION IS THE END OF A PATH.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cessation' LEAST appropriate?