Words / C1

HORLT/hɔːlt/

To halt is to stop, often suddenly or by order: halt a trial, come to a halt (noun). Stop is everyday; pause is temporary by design. Halt as a noun is the stop itself. Do not halt a sentence in this register — that is stop or break off.

Meaning

To stop, or to make something stop, often suddenly.

Examples

• “The regulator halted the trial after the second incident.”
• “The regulator halted recruitment after the second serious incident.”
• “A halt in the data feed is the noun; a pause in a concert is planned.”

Good to know

Stop (often abruptly / by order). Noun: a halt / come to a halt. Everyday: stop. Planned short stop: pause.

Near in meaning

stop

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