ceasefire

noun

cease·​fire ˈsēs-ˈfi(-ə)r How to pronounce ceasefire (audio)
variants or less commonly cease-fire
plural ceasefires also cease-fires
1
: a military order to cease firing
2
: a suspension of active hostilities

Examples of ceasefire in a Sentence

the two armies declared a ceasefire for the holiday
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Witkoff, Rubio, and Kushner then streamlined the proposal to a two-phase structure—first, a ceasefire and exchange of hostages and prisoners to stop the fighting; second, a framework for Gaza's future, including disarmament and a technocratic transitional government. Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Oct. 2025 With the ceasefire taking effect, massive groups of Palestinians were pictured pouring back into the devastated capital. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025 Kate Phillips-Barrasso, vice president of global policy and advocacy for the humanitarian organization Mercy Corps, said the team has not been able to get any items into Gaza since March 2, which is when the first ceasefire fell apart and Israel ceased all entry of aid into Gaza. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025 The ceasefire came into effect at the same time as the Nobel announcement. Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 Israeli forces began pulling back from the coastal highway into Gaza city overnight after the Cabinet approval of the ceasefire, which requires troops to retreat to a buffer zone. Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ceasefire was in 1844

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ceasefire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceasefire. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

cease-fire

noun
ˈsēs-ˈfī(ə)r
: a temporary stopping of warfare

More from Merriam-Webster on ceasefire

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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