English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Common

stopping

STO-pihng

Stopping (noun) means the act of bringing something to a halt. Example: “Stopping the machine mid-cycle can damage the motor.”

noun
1
The act of bringing something to a halt.
"Stopping the machine mid-cycle can damage the motor."
2
Material used to fill a cavity, especially in a tooth.
"The dentist applied temporary stopping before the permanent filling."

How to use stopping

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe act of halting something, or (in dentistry) a filling material.

Word forms

stoppings plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “stopping” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ the machine mid-cycle can damage the motor.

Related words

Rhymes for stopping

See all rhymes for stopping →

Frequently asked questions

What does “stopping” mean?

The word “stopping” means the act of bringing something to a halt. In plain terms, the act of halting something, or (in dentistry) a filling material.

How do you pronounce “stopping”?

“Stopping” is pronounced STO-pihng (/ˈstɑpɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “stopping” in a sentence?

Here is “stopping” used in a sentence: “Stopping the machine mid-cycle can damage the motor.”

What is another word for “stopping”?

Words with a similar meaning to “stopping” include moratorium and recess.

What part of speech is “stopping”?

“Stopping” is a noun.

Is “stopping” a common word?

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

How many meanings does “stopping” have?

“Stopping” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of bringing something to a halt.

What is the difference between "stopping" and "stoppage"?

"Stopping" is the general act of bringing something to a halt, while "stoppage" usually refers to a specific interruption or blockage, such as a work stoppage or a stoppage in play. "Stoppage" tends to name an event or obstruction rather than the action itself.

How is "stopping" used in dentistry?

In dental use, "stopping" is the material used to fill a cavity in a tooth, a sense found chiefly in British English. This is quite different from the everyday meaning of bringing something to a halt.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial