ENGLISH
REFERENCE

stemming

v.
C1 Advanced US //ˈstɛmɪŋ// UK //stˈɛmɪŋ// stem·ming

v. to stop or slow down the flow of something, like water or blood. You can also use it to describe stopping a problem from getting worse.

v. to stop, check, or restrain the flow of a liquid or the progress of an undesirable trend. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the substance or force being halted.


SIMPLE

The doctor applied pressure to help stemming the blood flow.

CONTEXTUAL

The central bank raised interest rates in an attempt at stemming the rapid rise of inflation.

COMPLEX

Emergency crews worked through the night, using sandbags and heavy machinery in a desperate bid aimed at stemming the floodwaters before they reached the historic town center.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. Often used in the present participle form ('stemming') as a gerund to describe the act of containment.

Pitfall

stemming from the problemstemming the problemLearners confuse 'stemming' (stopping something) with 'stemming from' (originating from). To stop a flow, do not use 'from'.

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