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

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

Best Shopping Autumn Records This is Winooski’s record store, full stop. — Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2026

Before the Charger came to a full stop, Kennedy got out and ran toward Thurman's patrol vehicle holding a sharp object above his head, according to the report. — Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 31 Aug. 2026

Getty Images There is no external force more influential to human behavior than culture, full stop. — Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes.com, 31 July 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