full stop

noun

chiefly British

: a point . used to show the end of a sentence or an abbreviation : period sense 5a

… the full stop after the roman numeral …

—Eric Korn

He found that a full stop expressed his feelings too violently, and wrote the letter again, for the fifth time …

—Anthony Trollope

… ordered the initials 'F. C. W. K.,' with the customary untrained grape-vine-looking flourishes, and a large full stop, to be engraved forthwith.

—Charles Dickens

—used interjectionally to emphasize the finality of the preceding statement

… when it comes to parenting she's the boss, full stop.

—Pamela Druckerman

Examples of full stop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The goal of Daimler’s systems is not necessarily to bring the truck to a full stop from any speed, though that can be a best-case scenario in many of these potential accidents. — New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026

The judge would only have the ability to pause specific parts of a project that are problematic, rather than forcing a full stop to construction. — Justine Calma, The Verge, 1 Nov. 2026

The aircraft will declare an emergency with air traffic control, then autonomously fly to the nearest suitable airport, communicate with air traffic control, and safely land, bringing the plane to a full stop and shutting down the engine. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026

This process cannot take place on a ceramic nonstick surface, full stop. — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for full stop

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