Stopping
ˈstɒpɪŋ
Definitions
2 meaningsTo bring or come to an end; to cease moving or operating.
ˈstɒpɪŋ
To cease moving or progressing.
The rain is stopping.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing tag. When you need a break, you *stop* running and stand still. Stopping means to pause or end what you're doing, like pressing the pause button on a video game!
👶 For kids: To stop means to not do something anymore, like when you stop playing and take a break.
More Examples
The teacher told the students to stop talking.
We are stopping for lunch.
How It's Used
"The car is stopping at the traffic light."
"The train is stopping at the next station."
To prevent or hinder; to obstruct or block.
ˈstɒpɪŋ
To prevent or hinder something.
The police are trying to stop the protesters.
💡 Simply: Imagine there's a leak in a bucket, and you put your hand over the hole to *stop* the water. Stopping something can mean to prevent it from happening or continuing, like putting an end to it.
👶 For kids: To stop means to not let something happen or to keep it from moving.
More Examples
We tried to stop him from making a mistake.
The government is working on stopping inflation.
How It's Used
"Stopping the spread of misinformation is crucial."
"Doctors worked tirelessly to stop the bleeding."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From Middle English stoppen, from Old English *stoppian, from Proto-Germanic *stuppōną ('to plug, stop'). Related to Dutch stoppen and German stopfen.
The word "stop" has been used in English since the Old English period, with the meaning of blocking or obstructing.
Memory tip
Think of a traffic signal: when it turns red, cars stop.
Word Origin
"to plug or block"