Cease Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
Britannica Dictionary definition of CEASE
formal
1
[no object]
:
to stop happening
:
to end
-
The fighting along the border has temporarily ceased.
-
The conversation abruptly ceased. [=halted]
-
The noise ceased [=stopped] altogether.
-
when the weary cease from their labors [=when people who are very tired stop working]
-
The company was ordered by the court to cease and desist from selling the photographs. [=was ordered to immediately stop selling the photographs]
— see also cease and desist order
2
[+ object]
:
to stop doing (something)
-
The factory ceased operations last year.
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The child would not cease his constant whining/complaining.
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The soldiers were ordered to cease fire. [=to stop shooting their weapons]
— often followed by to + verb
-
The program would cease to exist without private funding.
-
He had long ceased to have any regrets.
-
Her courage never ceases to amaze me. [=I am always amazed by her courage]
— see also cease-fire