general strike: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal; Academic; Journalistic.
Quick answer
What does “general strike” mean?
A coordinated work stoppage by a significant portion of the labour force across multiple industries, designed to achieve broad economic or political goals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A coordinated work stoppage by a significant portion of the labour force across multiple industries, designed to achieve broad economic or political goals.
A large-scale protest action where workers from most or all major industries cease work simultaneously to pressure the government or employers. It is typically organised by trade unions and represents a major societal and economic event, often tied to political demands beyond specific workplace issues.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The UK has a more prominent historical record of general strikes (e.g., 1926), while the concept is invoked in US labour discourse.
Connotations
In the UK, it has strong historical and political connotations, often linked to the labour movement and class conflict. In the US, it carries a more radical, less historically institutionalised connotation, often discussed as a theoretical or extreme measure.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK media and historical/political discourse. In the US, the term is used but events fitting the definition are extremely rare.
Grammar
How to Use “general strike” in a Sentence
The union called FOR a general strike.Workers went ON a general strike.The government faced a general strike BY public sector workers.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “general strike” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The unions are balloting members to see if they will vote to general-strike.
- The workers general-struck for three days in 1926.
American English
- The coalition sought to general-strike across the Rust Belt.
- They general-struck in protest of the court's decision.
adverb
British English
- [Extremely rare/unidiomatic]
American English
- [Extremely rare/unidiomatic]
adjective
British English
- The general-strike action brought the city to a standstill.
- They discussed general-strike tactics.
American English
- The general-strike threat was credible enough to restart negotiations.
- He studied general-strike literature.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The business council warned that a potential general strike would paralyse the economy and disrupt supply chains."
Academic
"The 1926 General Strike in Britain is a pivotal case study in the relationship between the state and organised labour."
Everyday
"There's talk of a general strike next week because of the new law, so the trains and bins might not be collected."
Technical
"The general strike, as a form of syndicalist praxis, aims to enact revolutionary change through the cessation of all commodity production."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “general strike”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “general strike”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “general strike”
- Using 'general strike' to refer to a common or frequent strike (confusing 'general' with its 'usual' meaning). Incorrect: *"The train drivers are on general strike again."* Correct: *"The train drivers are on strike again."*
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Legality varies by country and jurisdiction. In many places, political general strikes (aimed at the government) are not protected under labour law in the same way as industrial disputes between workers and a specific employer, and may be deemed illegal.
A general strike is large-scale, cross-industry, and usually formally organised by unions. A wildcat strike is an unofficial, spontaneous work stoppage not authorised by union leadership, typically within a single workplace or company.
Yes, the term can be applied regionally. For example, a 'city-wide general strike' would involve most major industries within that city ceasing work, even if it's not nationwide.
Duration varies widely. Some are symbolic 24-hour actions to demonstrate strength. Others, like the 1926 UK General Strike, lasted 9 days. Historical examples range from one day to several weeks, depending on the political and economic pressure.
A coordinated work stoppage by a significant portion of the labour force across multiple industries, designed to achieve broad economic or political goals.
General strike is usually formal; academic; journalistic. in register.
General strike: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʒen.ər.əl ˈstraɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʒen.ər.əl ˈstraɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No direct idioms. The term itself is a specific concept.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'GENERAL' as in a military general commanding many troops. A GENERAL STRIKE 'commands' workers from all different sectors to stop work at once.
Conceptual Metaphor
LABOUR IS WAR / WORKERS ARE AN ARMY. The strike is a coordinated battle; the 'general' in the name reinforces this.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes a 'general strike' from other strikes?