grève
/ɡʁɛv/noun★Intermediate💡 strike
formal
A work stoppage by employees to protest working conditions or demand concessions from employers.
La grève générale a paralysé la ville pendant trois jours.
The general strike paralyzed the city for three days.
💡
In French, a 'grève' is a collective action by workers to pressure employers or the government.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Context Matters
Always check the context to distinguish between the labor and geographical meanings of 'grève'.
⚡Gold Rule
Primary Meaning
In most cases, 'grève' refers to a labor strike, not a beach.
📖Word Origin
From Old French 'greve', meaning 'shoreline' (originally referring to workers gathering on the shore to demand better conditions).
📝Usage Notes
In French, 'grève' can also refer to a beach or shoreline, but the labor-related meaning is far more common.
Word Breakdown
grève
strike or shoreline
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