ichidan verb, transitive verb
dam up; hold back; stem the flow
Primarily used for physically blocking water or a flow; also for stopping movement or progress of something concrete.
大雨で川を堰き止める工事が急がれた。
Work to dam up the river was rushed due to heavy rain.
警官がデモ隊
The police held back the march of the demonstrators.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Figurative use: stopping the progress or spread of an activity, trend, or abstract thing.
政府は感染拡大をせき止める対策を発表した。
The government announced measures to stem the spread of infection.
彼の一言が議論の流れをせき止めた。
His single remark checked the flow of the discussion.