pit stop

noun

1

: a stop at the pits during an automobile race

2

a(1)

: a stop (as during a trip) for fuel, food, or rest or for use of a restroom

(2)

: a temporary deviation from a direct or usual course

a career pit stop … where he worked temporarily in between TV jobs

—Mark Lorando

b(1)

: a place where a pit stop is or can be made

(2)

: an establishment providing food or drink

Examples of pit stop in a Sentence

We made a pit stop for some food before getting back on the highway.

This little town is an ideal pit stop between the two cities.

Recent Examples on the Web

After blazing through season 13, this veteran diva is taking a pit stop from her tours and residencies to set the competition aflame. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025

And yes, there’s a pit stop at the DMV along the way. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025

Sky Project Ultra robot, also known as Tien Kung Ultra, claimed victory among the nonhumans, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 42 seconds in a race that featured pit stops for battery swaps. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025

The robots ran the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon under a set of strict guidelines, such as allowing for pit stops to swap out batteries. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pit stop

• atop
• backdrop
• backstop
• bebop
• blacktop
• bookshop
• clatsop
• desktop
• eavesdrop
• estop
• hardtop
• hilltop

Kids Definition

pit stop

noun

1

: a stop at the pits during an automobile race

2

a

: a stop (as during a trip) for fuel, food, or rest or for use of a restroom

b

: a place where a pit stop is or can be made