Cease Meaning

UK /siːs/
US /siːs/
Word Definition
cease meaning

Cease Definition & Usage

verb

To bring or come to an end; to stop.

Examples

  • "The factory will cease operations next month due to financial issues."
  • "The storm finally ceased after hours of torrential rain."
  • "The argument ceased when both parties agreed to take a break."
  • "After ten years of work, he decided to cease his career in law and pursue writing."
  • "She will cease to attend meetings until the issue is resolved."
verb

To discontinue or suspend an activity or behavior.

Examples

  • "The government decided to cease all public transportation during the lockdown."
  • "He ceased smoking after his doctor warned him about the risks."
  • "They have ceased further communication on the matter."
  • "The charity ceases all donations after the campaign ends."
  • "The band ceased playing as the crowd cheered louder."
verb

To stop or cease in a more philosophical or poetic sense, often implying finality or reflection.

Examples

  • "And thus, the king's reign did cease, leaving the kingdom in turmoil."
  • "In the quiet of the night, the voices ceased to echo across the valley."
  • "The hero's adventures ceased with the dawn of a new era."
  • "At the moment of his death, his suffering ceased."
  • "The battle ceased, but the scars of war remained forever."

Cultural Context

The word 'cease' has its roots in Latin and has been in use in the English language for centuries. It appears in both everyday language and more formal or literary contexts. It can denote both physical cessation (like stopping an activity) and metaphorical cessation (like ending a relationship or state of affairs).

The Last Call

Story

The Last Call

Late one evening, the town's only diner, 'The Last Call', was empty except for a few loyal patrons. The neon sign outside flickered weakly, signaling the diner’s last night before the new owners took over. Emma had worked there for nearly a decade, serving coffee and listening to stories of locals whose lives seemed to revolve around the comfort of a warm meal or a late-night chat. The buzz of conversation had ceased for the night, and only the clinking of silverware remained. She glanced over at Joe, the owner, who had decided to cease running the diner after his wife’s passing. His tired eyes met hers, and without a word, they both understood the gravity of the moment. Emma poured him another cup of coffee. 'It’s hard to believe,' she said softly, 'that tomorrow, it will all cease to be.' Joe nodded and stared out the window, the hum of the passing cars outside the only sound filling the silence. As the clock struck midnight, the diner ceased to exist in its original form. A new era was about to begin, but this chapter was over. 'It's a shame,' Emma continued, 'but at least it’s ending on our own terms.' Joe smiled faintly. 'Some things cease, others just change.' They stood there for a while, letting the memory of the diner linger before they locked the doors for the final time.

The Last Call