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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My career got started by an act of generosity on his part 33 years ago – period, full stop. Denise Petski, Deadline, 4 July 2025 The firm, full stop, focuses on early-stage companies and emphasizes scaling over product development. Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 26 June 2025 Adrian Dennis/Getty Images What To Know Passengers who unbuckle, stand, or begin retrieving their luggage before the aircraft has come to a full stop on the tarmac could be fined up to $70, according to Turkish media. Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025 Arteta sought to reframe the narrative and apply a full stop to a season when fortune seems to have been constantly running away from them. Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for full stop

Word History

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of full stop was in 1643

Cite this Entry

“Full stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/full%20stop. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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