Strike: meaning, definitions and examples

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strike

 

[ strʌɪk ]

Verb / Noun
Oxford 3000 Other
Context #1 | Verb

in sports

Hit forcibly and deliberately towards a specified target or area.

Synonyms

hit, slam, smash, whack

Examples of usage

  • He struck the ball into the net.
  • The bowler struck the stumps with a fast delivery.
  • The tennis player struck a powerful serve.
Context #2 | Verb

in work

Cause (a person) to be in a particular state.

Synonyms

affect, impact, influence, move

Examples of usage

  • The news struck her as funny.
  • The idea struck me as interesting.
  • The thought of failure struck fear into his heart.
Context #3 | Noun

labor

A refusal to work organized by a body of employees as a form of protest, typically in an attempt to gain a concession or concessions from their employer.

Synonyms

industrial action, protest, walkout

Examples of usage

  • The workers went on strike to demand higher wages.
  • The strike lasted for several weeks before an agreement was reached.

Translations

Translations of the word "strike" in other languages:

🇵🇹 greve

🇮🇳 हड़ताल

🇩🇪 Streik

🇮🇩 pemogokan

🇺🇦 страйк

🇵🇱 strajk

🇯🇵 ストライキ

🇫🇷 grève

🇪🇸 huelga

🇹🇷 grev

🇰🇷 파업

🇸🇦 إضراب

🇨🇿 stávka

🇸🇰 štrajk

🇨🇳 罢工

🇸🇮 stavka

🇮🇸 verkfall

🇰🇿 ереуіл

🇬🇪 გაფიცვა

🇦🇿 tətil

🇲🇽 huelga

Etymology

The word 'strike' originated from the Old English word 'strīcian', meaning 'to stroke or smooth'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include hitting forcefully, causing an impact, and organizing protests. In the context of labor strikes, the term gained prominence during the Industrial Revolution when workers collectively protested for better working conditions and fair wages.

See also: striker, strikes, striking, strikingly.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,855, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.