standstill

noun

stand·​still ˈstan(d)-ˌstil How to pronounce standstill (audio)
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop
brought traffic to a standstill

Examples of standstill in a Sentence

The accident brought traffic to a standstill. battled each other to a standstill
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Charlotte’s office vacancy rate is at a standstill — but perhaps not for long — as the city’s office-using job sector grows and office space construction comes to a pause. Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2025 Still, on a partly sunny Saturday under a flood watch, dozens of volunteers overwhelmed a site near the Round Mountain Baptist Church outside of Leander, forcing traffic to a standstill as emergency personnel actively searched for missing people. Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 13 July 2025 The clash has created a standstill between the union and the company and paused bargaining efforts to finalize a contract that addresses staffing and pay concerns. Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 With two eight-piston monobloc calipers at the front and two six-piston monobloc calipers at the back, the brake system can bring the Bolide from 186 mph to a standstill in 6.0 seconds, doing so in 748 feet. Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for standstill

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of standstill was in 1702

Cite this Entry

“Standstill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standstill. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

standstill

noun
stand·​still -ˌstil How to pronounce standstill (audio)
: a state marked by absence of motion or activity : stop
traffic was at a standstill

Medical Definition

standstill

noun
stand·​still ˈstand-ˌstil How to pronounce standstill (audio)
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest
cardiac standstill

More from Merriam-Webster on standstill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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