Stop: meaning, definitions and examples

Usually used in everyday situations to mean come to a full halt, or quit doing something entirely or temporarily.

• Please stop talking during the movie.
• The car stopped at the red light.

Gives a stronger sense of urgency or suddenness. Often used in contexts involving movement or progress.

• The soldiers were ordered to halt.
• All flights were halted due to the storm.

Often used in formal or official contexts to indicate that something needs to come to a complete end. Can also have a slightly formal tone.

• The company will cease operations at the end of the month.
• Hostilities were ordered to cease immediately.

Used to signify the final point of something, like an event or a period of time.

• The meeting will end at 3 PM.
• Their friendship ended after the disagreement.

Implies a temporary stop or break in an activity, meant to be resumed shortly after.

• Let's pause the video while we make popcorn.
• She paused to think before answering.

Used for a complete cessation of an activity or motion. It is commonly used in everyday situations when you want to bring something to an immediate end.

• Please stop talking during the movie.
• I need to stop the car to check the engine.

More formal or dramatic than 'stop', often used in contexts where something is abruptly brought to a standstill. Can have a negative connotation when used to indicate a problematic stoppage.

• The project came to a halt due to lack of funding.
• The officer ordered the car to halt immediately.

Used to indicate a temporary stop, usually short-term, often to resume shortly after. Commonly used in media or speech situations.

• Let's pause the movie until everyone is back.
• She paused to take a sip of water before continuing her speech.

Refers to a short period of rest or interruption in an activity. Often used in work or school situations when someone needs a temporary rest.

• Let's take a break and have some coffee.
• We usually get a lunch break at noon.