ceasefirecease‧fire /ˈsiːsfaɪə $ -faɪr/ ●○○ noun [countable] 
a ceasefire agreement They have called a temporary ceasefire in the region. → armistice, truce
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a ceasefire between the warring forces in the south
- Both leaders signed the ceasefire agreement.
- So far no one has violated the three-day ceasefire.
- The ceasefire won't last unless both sides are prepared to compromise.
- The government had failed in numerous attempts to achieve a ceasefire through negotiation.
- In February a ceasefire was established after King Hassan met Polisario leaders for the first time.
- In Northern Ireland the loyalist ceasefire is under scrutiny after bombs were planted at sports grounds.
- It flares on, despite countless local ceasefires, occasional truces and the efforts of the world to get it stopped.
- Polisario announced that its forces had begun to relocate in the assembly areas allocated to them for the period of the ceasefire.
- The ceasefire came into effect throughout the country at midnight.
- The ceasefire was still intact at the end of February, despite intermittent shooting and shelling.
THESAURUS
a situation in which there is no war or fighting: · There has been peace in the region for six years now.
an agreement to stop fighting or arguing with each other for a limited period of time: · The rebels have ended a 17-month-old truce.· He called for a truce between Israeli and Palestinian forces.· There was an uneasy truce between Lily and Stephen at dinner.
an agreement to stop fighting for a limited period of time, especially in order to discuss making peace: · The two sides agreed to a ceasefire which would come into force immediately.
a formal agreement to stop fighting a war and to discuss making peace: · The Korean armistice was signed in July 1953.
a situation in which there is no violence, argument, or protest: · Attempts by the police to restore calm in the area failed.
Longman Language Activatorwhen two countries agree to stop fighting an agreement to stop fighting for a limited period of time, especially in order to talk about making peace: · The ceasefire won't last unless both sides are prepared to compromise.ceasefire between: · a ceasefire between the warring forces in the southceasefire agreement: · Both leaders signed the ceasefire agreement.agree to/achieve a ceasefire: · The government had failed in numerous attempts to achieve a ceasefire through negotiation.violate the ceasefire (=start fighting again during a ceasefire): · So far no one has violated the three-day ceasefire.
an agreement to stop fighting for a short time, especially in order to discuss making peace: · The rebels have ended a 17-month-old truce, and could strike at any time.truce between: · a truce between the rival Christian forcescall/negotiate/secure etc a truce: · The two sides have been unable to negotiate a truce.
a written agreement between two enemies saying that they agree to end the war: · Both countries agreed to work towards a peace treaty.peace treaty between: · On July 12th, the South Korean President called for a peace treaty between the two states.negotiate/draw up/sign/conclude a peace treaty: · The left-wing guerrilla movement finally signed a peace treaty with the government on March 9th.
if two countries make peace , they stop fighting and agree to end the war: · France and Spain made peace in 1659 after a war lasting 25 years.make peace with: · The two armies made peace with each other in 1918.
if soldiers lay down their arms , they stop fighting - used especially in literature and descriptions of historical events: · No sooner had they laid down their arms than the English broke their word and attacked.· In March, the Popular Liberation Army laid down arms and registered as a political party.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY They have called a temporary ceasefire in the region.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
an agreement to stop fighting for a period of time, especially so that a more permanent agreement can be made: They have called a temporary ceasefire in the region. (=a temporary agreement to stop fighting)· A ceasefire agreement was signed between the government and the rebels.
(=for an end to a war)· The United Nations called for an immediate ceasefire.
· Each side accused the other of ceasefire violations.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Prospects for diplomatic initiatives - US-Soviet statement Amid renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire there were reports of continued diplomatic initiatives.
· The dynamite was split between Eta, then nominally observing a unilateral ceasefire, and the Bretons.
NOUN· Armando Guebuza, expressed the hope that a comprehensive ceasefire agreement would follow shortly.
· Each side repeatedly accused the other of ceasefire violations.
VERB· Taylor had consistently made it known that he would not agree to a ceasefire until Doe had resigned and left the country.
· On 1 November Sukarno was called in and a ceasefire arranged.· The Security Council plan called for an initial ceasefire followed by phased disarmament.· The Kazakh-brokered agreement had called for a ceasefire along the border between the two former Soviet republics.· They called for a ceasefire in the region and for access for humanitarian aid deliveries.
· Najibullah proposed that a referendum be held in both government and mujaheddin-controlled areas to determine whether a ceasefire should be implemented.· Significant progress was nevertheless achieved in May, when the factions agreed to begin implementing a temporary ceasefire.
· Onusal was also to monitor any future ceasefire in the 11-year civil war.
· The dynamite was split between Eta, then nominally observing a unilateral ceasefire, and the Bretons.
· The 15,000-strong rebel group has participated in peace talks with President Andres Pastrana but has refused to sign a ceasefire.· He also referred to a government proposal to sign a ceasefire on April 15.
a ceasefire agreement They have called a temporary ceasefire in the region. → armistice, truce