cease
sees
Cease (verb) means to stop happening or existing; to come to an end. Example: “The noise from the building site finally ceased at five o'clock.”
verb
1
To stop happening or existing; to come to an end.
"The noise from the building site finally ceased at five o'clock."
"The rain finally ceased just before dawn."
"Trading on the stock ceased after the scandal broke."
2
To stop doing something.
"Please cease talking and open your exam papers now."
"The workers ceased production during the strike."
"She never ceased to amaze her colleagues with new ideas."
How to use cease
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stop — used for things ending or people stopping an action.
When to use it
More formal than "stop"; common in official notices ("cease and desist"), legal language, and writing, less so in casual speech.
Common pairings
cease fire
cease operations
cease to exist
never cease to
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- ceases
- Past tense
- ceased
- Archaic forms
- ceasest, ceasedst, ceaseth
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The noise from the building site finally _____ at five o'clock.
Etymology
From Middle English cesen, borrowed via Old French cesser from Latin cessare ("to leave off, delay"), a frequent form of cedere ("to go away, withdraw"). Related to "cessation" and "recede."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cease
See all rhymes for cease →Frequently asked questions
What does “cease” mean?
The word “cease” means to stop happening or existing; to come to an end. In plain terms, to stop — used for things ending or people stopping an action.
How do you pronounce “cease”?
“Cease” is pronounced sees (/sis/ in IPA).
How do you use “cease” in a sentence?
Here is “cease” used in a sentence: “The rain finally ceased just before dawn.”
What part of speech is “cease”?
“Cease” is a verb.
Where does the word “cease” come from?
The word “cease” comes from Latin. From Middle English cesen, borrowed via Old French cesser from Latin cessare ("to leave off, delay"), a frequent form of cedere ("to go away, withdraw"). Related to "cessation" and "recede.".
Is “cease” a common word?
“Cease” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cease” have?
“Cease” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to stop happening or existing; to come to an end.
What is the difference between "cease" and "stop"?
They share the core meaning "to bring or come to an end," but "cease" is distinctly formal and appears mainly in official, legal, and literary contexts, while "stop" is the neutral everyday word. "Cease" also tends to suggest a complete or permanent end rather than a pause.
Is it "cease to do" or "cease doing" something?
Both constructions are grammatical. "Cease doing" is usual for activities that stop, as in "the company ceased trading," while "cease to" is common with states and in more rhetorical phrasing, as in "it never ceases to amaze me" or "ceased to exist." In everyday speech, "stop doing" is far more natural than either.
What is a ceasefire?
A ceasefire is an agreed stop to fighting between opposing forces, usually as a step toward negotiation or peace. The word combines "cease" in its sense of "stop doing something" with "fire" meaning the shooting of weapons. A ceasefire can be temporary and local or a formal, lasting arrangement.
