Meanings
plural anthropauses · alternative anthropopause
- neologismA global reduction in modern human activity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A growing body of literature paints a complex portrait of the slowdown of human activity that has become known as the “anthropause.”
[2022 July 16, Emily Anthes, “Did Nature Heal During the Pandemic ‘Anthropause’?”, in The New York Times, →ISSN2 more examples
The enforced global 'anthropause' during part of 2020 was also a reminder of the importance of timing: we have become used to having the things we need.
2020, Alan Parkinson, Why Study Geography?, page 40Thus, the COVID-19 lockdown has led to a significant global reduction in human mobility, notably travel, causing an “anthropause” (Rutz et al., 2020).
2021 November, Amanda E. Bates, Richard B. Primack, Brandy S. Biggar, Tomas J. Bird, Mary E. Clinton, “Global COVID-19 lockdown highlights humans as both threats and custodians of the environment”, in Biological Conservation, volume 263, →DOI, →ISSNSynonyms: great pause
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA global reduction in modern human activity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Origin
From anthro- + -pause. Coined by a team of researchers and scientists in June 2020 in an article discussing the possible impact of COVID-19 lockdown on wildlife.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Greek ανθρωπόπαυση
- ανθρωπόπαυση (anthropópafsi)Translations
Italian antropopausa
- antropopausaTranslations
Polish antropauza
- antropauzaTranslations
Portuguese antropausa, antropopausa
- antropausaTranslations
- antropopausaTranslations
Cite this entry
anthropause. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/anthropause
“anthropause.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/anthropause. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “anthropause,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/anthropause.
Source: anthropause on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.