ENGLISH
REFERENCE

strikes

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈstɹaɪks// UK //stɹˈaɪks// strikes

n. a period of time when workers stop working to ask for better pay or better conditions. You use this word when employees act together to force their boss to make changes.

n. a collective refusal by employees to work under current conditions, typically as a form of protest to gain concessions from an employer. Often used in the plural to describe a series of industrial actions.


SIMPLE

The workers are on strike for higher wages.

CONTEXTUAL

The city faced major transport delays this morning because of the nationwide rail strikes.

COMPLEX

The government is considering new legislation to limit the impact of strikes on essential public services, arguing that prolonged walkouts threaten national economic stability.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Commonly used with the preposition 'on' ('to go on strike') or as a modifier ('strike action').

Pitfall

The workers made a strikeThe workers went on strikeEnglish speakers use the phrase 'go on strike' or 'hold a strike' rather than 'make a strike'.

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