cessation

cessation — noun

1. the situation in which an activity, process, or condition comes to an end for a

1.nounC1
Definition

the situation in which an activity, process, or condition comes to an end for a period of time or permanently

Example

Both sides agreed to a temporary cessation of fighting so that wounded soldiers could be rescued.

collocation: temporary cessation of fighting / cessation of hostilities

Dr. Hana Kim advised her patient to make a complete cessation of smoking.

collocation: complete cessation of smoking

Common collocations
  • cessation of hostilities
  • cessation of payments
  • cessation of operations
  • cessation of production
  • complete cessation
  • immediate cessation
  • temporary cessation
  • sudden cessation
Synonyms
  • stop

    more common, less formal; suitable for everyday speech and writing

  • halt

    often describes a sudden or forceful stop, similar register to cessation

  • termination

    emphasises finality; often used in official or contractual contexts

  • pause

    suggests a brief, temporary stop with the expectation of continuation

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

cessation of + noun phrase

Usage Note

This is a formal noun, most common in legal, medical, and academic writing. It follows the pattern 'cessation of + [abstract noun]' (e.g., cessation of payments, cessation of operations). For everyday situations, 'stop' or 'end' are more natural choices.

Common Mistakes

The rain cessation at noon.
The rain ceased at noon.' or 'There was a cessation of rain at noon.
'Cessation' is a noun; use 'cease' as the verb.
We need a cessation of this boring meeting.
We need to stop this boring meeting.
'Cessation' is too formal for casual conversation; use 'stop' or 'end' instead.

Word family

  • cease
    verbB2
  • ceaseless
    adjectiveC1
  • ceaselessly
    adverbC1
  • unceasing
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to something not continuing, but they differ in register, duration, and finality. 'Stop' is the most general and neutral term — it works in any register ('the rain stopped'). 'Halt' often implies a sudden or forceful interruption ('the project came to a halt'). 'Pause' specifically means a short, temporary stop that is expected to end ('a pause in the conversation'). 'Termination' shares the formal register of 'cessation' but stresses that something is ended permanently and often deliberately ('termination of the contract'). 'Cessation' sits between 'halt' and 'termination' — it is formal like 'termination' but can describe both temporary and permanent endings, making it common in diplomatic language ('cessation of hostilities'). Use 'cessation' in official or academic writing; use 'stop' in everyday speech.

stop ↗halt ↗pause ↗termination

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • call for a cessation
  • agree to a cessation
  • bring about a cessation

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Cessation comes from Latin 'cessatio' (a delaying, ceasing), which comes from 'cessare' (to cease, delay), itself from 'cedere' (to go, withdraw, yield). It entered English through French in the 1400s, originally with a legal meaning of a pause or stop in proceedings.