verb Common

halt

holt

Halt (verb) means to stop moving or operating, or to cause something to stop. Example: “The train halted suddenly at a red signal.”

verb

To stop moving or operating, or to cause something to stop.

"The train halted suddenly at a red signal."

"Officials halted construction after the discovery."

noun

A stop, especially a temporary one.

"Work came to a halt when the funding ran out."

How to use halt

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo stop, or bring something to a stop.

Common pairings

come to a halt grind to a halt halt production

Word forms

more halt comparative, halted past tense, halted past tense, halts plural, halts plural, halts plural, halts singular, halts singular, most halt superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The train _____ suddenly at a red signal.

Etymology

From Old English healtian, "to limp" — the sense narrowed over time to mean simply "to stop."

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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cease arrest suspend standstill check pause brake desist stay immobilize terminate shut down

Related words

off start stop control wait stay check hold

Rhymes for halt

alt salt malt Walt Galt

See all rhymes for halt →

Frequently asked questions

What does “halt” mean?

The word “halt” means to stop moving or operating, or to cause something to stop. In plain terms, to stop, or bring something to a stop.

How do you pronounce “halt”?

“Halt” is pronounced holt (/hɑlt/ in IPA).

How do you use “halt” in a sentence?

Here is “halt” used in a sentence: “The train halted suddenly at a red signal.”

What is another word for “halt”?

Words with a similar meaning to “halt” include brake, desist, stay, immobilize, terminate and shut down.

What part of speech is “halt”?

Depending on how it is used, “halt” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “halt” come from?

The word “halt” comes from Old English. From Old English healtian, "to limp" — the sense narrowed over time to mean simply "to stop.".

Is “halt” a common word?

“Halt” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “halt” have?

“Halt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to stop moving or operating, or to cause something to stop.

What is the difference between 'halt' and 'stop'?

They are close in meaning, but 'halt' is more formal and often sounds more abrupt, suggesting a sudden or ordered stop. 'Stop' is the everyday, neutral word that fits almost any situation.

What is the difference between 'halt' and 'pause'?

A halt is usually a full stop of movement or activity, while a pause is a short, temporary break made with the intention of continuing. A halt can be temporary too, but it suggests a more complete cessation than a pause.

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