What does "stillstand" mean?
A period of time during which the terminus of a glacier remains stationary.
Stillstand
noun, verb
noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A period of time during which the terminus of a glacier remains stationary.
- Grammar: stillstand is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: cessation, dead stop, deadlock, ebb.
- Useful contrasts: german produzieren, aktion - german.
- Usage evidence: A useful exercise may be to calculate the basin-wide deglacial erosion rate for the Jakobshavn catchment area using the volume of glacimarine sediments deposited in front of the fjord-mouth sill (29.2 km3) during an 800 year stillstand (Hogan et al., 2012) and a glacial catchment area derived using the same procedures in this study (33 504 km2; Fig. S1b).
How to use "stillstand"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "stillstand" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "stillstand" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "stillstand" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "cessation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A period of time during which the terminus of a glacier remains stationary.
"A useful exercise may be to calculate the basin-wide deglacial erosion rate for the Jakobshavn catchment area using the volume of glacimarine sediments deposited in front of the fjord-mouth sill (29.2 km3) during an 800 year stillstand (Hogan et al., 2012) and a glacial catchment area derived using the same procedures in this study (33 504 km2; Fig. S1b)."
- 2 A period of geologic time during which eustatic sea level stays apparently constant, relative to adjacent periods of geologic time, neither characterized by transgression, nor regression.
"A relative stillstand of sea level is an apparently constant position of sea level with respect to the underlying initial surface of deposition, and is indicated by coastal toplap. It may result if both sea level and the underlying initial surface of deposition actually remain stationary, or if both rise or fall at the same rate."
- 3 A standstill. obsolete
"As with the tide, swell'd up unto its height , That makes a still-stand, running neither way"
Verb
- 1 To cease in either glacial advance or retreat.
"It is tempting in these circumstances to look for the 'smoking gun'-a mechanism whereby glaciers from both the local Cairngorm ice cap, and the much larger Scottish Ice Sheet could stillstand, or even readvance for a period of 1 kyr, during deglaciation."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
german produzierenaktion - german
Example
"A useful exercise may be to calculate the basin-wide deglacial erosion rate for the Jakobshavn catchment area using the volume of glacimarine sediments deposited in front of the fjord-mouth sill (29.2 km3) during an 800 year stillstand (Hogan et al., 2012) and a glacial catchment area derived using the same procedures in this study (33 504 km2; Fig. S1b)."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "stillstand"?
Common synonyms include: cessation, dead stop, deadlock, ebb, full stop, halt.
How do you use "stillstand" in a sentence?
A useful exercise may be to calculate the basin-wide deglacial erosion rate for the Jakobshavn catchment area using the volume of glacimarine sediments deposited in front of the fjord-mouth sill (29.2 km3) during an 800 year stillstand (Hogan et al., 2012) and a glacial catchment area derived using the same procedures in this study (33 504 km2; Fig. S1b).
Etymology
From still + stand.