traffic stoppage

USAGE SUMMARY

"traffic stoppage" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a temporary cessation of traffic flow due to an obstruction on the road. For example, "The accident caused a major traffic stoppage on the highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

If no accident or construction zone is nearby, traffic stoppages are often simply categorized as "phantom jams".

The New Yorker

I think we can guess that when the sleepy town of Princeton became a bustling community, they didn't like the traffic stoppages on Washington Road or the horses on Nassau Street.

Princeton University

The construction performed along the section entailed deep and long cuts requiring temporary traffic stoppages due to explosive blasting.

Wikipedia

"There's no place for the destruction of property or the dangerous stoppage of traffic in a city where the overall majority of people are exercising in peaceful protest," he said.

Los Angeles Times

Typhoons and earthquakes, which occur frequently in Taiwan, often lead to the washout or collapse of cross-river bridges and cause stoppages to traffic.

Construction and Building Materials

A work stoppage by air traffic controllers forced Olympic Airlines to cancel 28 flights and postpone 14, news agencies reported.

The New York Times

But in the strange patchwork of Athens, just blocks from the scuffles, people sat calmly in cafes and tourists made their way up to the Acropolis — if not to the airport, because of a work stoppage by air traffic controllers.

The New York Times

The five-day stoppage had caused traffic chaos in one of the world's most congested cities just days ahead of the football World Cup.

BBC

Flights were disrupted by a stoppage of air-traffic controllers, and tourists were prevented from boarding ferries to the islands because of a picket by the communist labour movement, PAME.This will be only a small dent, perhaps, to the confidence of Greek tour operators, who say arrivals are slightly up this year, albeit not as much as in destinations like Turkey and Cyprus.

The Economist

Stoppages by Greek air traffic controllers are likely to disrupt flights and ferry departures from Athens are also expected to be hit.

The Guardian

They closed border bridges, stopped traffic in Juarez and staged widespread work stoppages.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "traffic stoppage" to clearly indicate a complete cessation of movement, as opposed to merely slow or congested traffic. Be specific about the cause if known (e.g., "a traffic stoppage due to an accident").

Common error

Don't use "traffic stoppage" when you mean a slowdown. "Traffic stoppage" indicates a complete halt, while "traffic delay" suggests movement is still occurring, albeit slowly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "traffic stoppage" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a situation where the normal flow of vehicles is interrupted. Ludwig AI confirms this is a valid and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "traffic stoppage" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that describes a complete halt in traffic flow. Although Ludwig AI confirms its usability, the phrase has a Missing frequency in the analyzed data. It's suitable for various contexts, maintaining a neutral register. Related terms include "road closure" and "traffic jam", offering alternative ways to describe similar situations. It's important to differentiate it from "traffic delay", which indicates a slowdown rather than a complete cessation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

road closure

Focuses specifically on the physical blocking of a road.

interruption of traffic

Highlights the temporary halt in the movement of vehicles.

traffic jam

A common term for slow or stopped traffic due to high volume.

disruption to traffic

A more formal and broader term for any kind of interruption in traffic flow.

traffic congestion

Emphasizes slow-moving or heavily loaded traffic, not necessarily a complete stop.

traffic delay

Highlights the aspect of being late due to traffic issues.

roadblock

Implies a deliberate obstruction, often for security purposes.

hold-up in traffic

Informal way to describe a delay in traffic flow.

impeded traffic flow

Focuses on the reduced or obstructed movement of vehicles.

gridlock

Suggests a complete standstill across multiple interconnected routes.

FAQs

What does "traffic stoppage" mean?

A "traffic stoppage" refers to a complete cessation of movement in traffic, usually due to an accident, construction, or other obstruction.

What can I say instead of "traffic stoppage"?

You can use alternatives like "road closure", "traffic congestion", or "traffic jam" depending on the context.

How is "traffic stoppage" different from "traffic delay"?

"Traffic stoppage" implies a complete halt in traffic flow, while "traffic delay" indicates that traffic is still moving, but more slowly than usual.

Is "traffic stoppage" formal or informal language?

"Traffic stoppage" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal settings, phrases like "traffic jam" might be preferred.