1
a(1)
: a hole, shaft, or cavity in the ground
(2)
: mine
(3)
: a scooped-out place used for burning something (such as charcoal)
b
: an area often sunken or depressed below the adjacent floor area: such as
(1)
: an enclosure in which animals are made to fight each other
(2)
: a space at the front of a theater for the orchestra
(3)
: an area in a securities or commodities exchange in which members trade (such as stocks)
2
3
: a hollow or indentation especially in the surface of an organism: such as
a
: a natural hollow in the surface of the body
b
: one of the indented scars left in the skin by a pustular disease : pockmark
c
: a minute depression in the secondary wall of a plant cell functioning in the intercellular movement of water and dissolved material
4
: any of the areas alongside an auto racecourse used for refueling and repairing the cars during a race
—often used in plural with the
pitted; pitting
1
a
: to place, cast, bury, or store in a pit
b
: to make pits in
especially
: to scar or mark with pits
2
a
: to set (fighting birds, such as gamecocks) into or as if into a pit to fight
b
: to set into opposition or rivalry
—usually used with against
1
: to become marked with pits
especially
: to preserve for a time an indentation made by pressure
2
: to make a pit stop
: the stone of a drupaceous fruit
Synonyms
Examples of pit in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark David, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2023
In the video ad, Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, roasts marshmallows in front of a metal fire pit by the brand Solo Stove.
—Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 20 Nov. 2023
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 300,000 United States veterans have reported exposure to pollution from burn pits since the early 2000s.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Nov. 2023
The yard, about 1,400 square feet in size, is large enough to accommodate six pits, a tortilla-making station and a covered patio with dozens of plastic tables.
—Jorge Valencia Mariano Fernandez, New York Times, 14 Nov. 2023
Whether adding warmth and ambience to their home office or starring as a centerpiece for their dining room table, this sleek, easy-to-use fire pit will impress whoever ends up with it.
—Bellamy Richardson, wsj.com, 8 Nov. 2023
While shopping the brand’s cozy basics in the 2,800-square-foot space, customers can rest in a conversation pit and snack on goodies from Jon & Vinny’s, Awan and Gjusta in the pantry.
—The Editors, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023
To keep people interested, it's thought that free snacks were thrown to the crowds — the Daily Mail reported that archeologists found centuries-old fruit pits and nutshells beneath the site.
—Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2023
Some of the wooden steps around the house are also broken, as is the fire pit and some of the outdoor furniture.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 Nov. 2023
Jack Birle, Washington Examiner, 25 Nov. 2023
The 80-year-old nuclear physicist and cancer survivor has won 10 years in a row for his age group in the Locals category, which pits Oceansiders against each other.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023
The mayoral race will pit Omar Garcia Harfuch, former security minister for the city under Sheinbaum and her close ally, against Iztapalapa borough leader Clara Brugada, who is more closely associated with AMLO.
—Maya Averbuch, Bloomberg.com, 10 Nov. 2023
Officially known as the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, the event pits ten of the best cricket nations in the world against each other for a chance to hoist the official trophy of the One Day International (ODI) cricket tournament.
—Tim Chan, Variety, 2 Nov. 2023
One of our signal failures, decades ago, was to accept the false choice pitting climate change mitigation against economic growth.
—Bydavid Schimel, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2023
In his speech, Lynch claimed that the secret to controlling the enslaved was pitting them against one another.
—Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023
The state’s Senate contest last year, which pitted Senator Mark Kelly against Blake Masters, the Republican nominee, cost more than $225 million.
—Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2023
The show is designed to pit contestants against one another, which proved challenging to Bains, whose values of loyalty, service and honesty were challenged.
—Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
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Noun
At the base of the stairs, a mechanical pit was filled with dirt and turned into a planter that brings a bit of the outdoors into the heart of the home.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2023
In the video ad, Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, roasts marshmallows in front of a metal fire pit by the brand Solo Stove.
—Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 20 Nov. 2023
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 300,000 United States veterans have reported exposure to pollution from burn pits since the early 2000s.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Nov. 2023
The yard, about 1,400 square feet in size, is large enough to accommodate six pits, a tortilla-making station and a covered patio with dozens of plastic tables.
—Jorge Valencia Mariano Fernandez, New York Times, 14 Nov. 2023
Whether adding warmth and ambience to their home office or starring as a centerpiece for their dining room table, this sleek, easy-to-use fire pit will impress whoever ends up with it.
—Bellamy Richardson, wsj.com, 8 Nov. 2023
While shopping the brand’s cozy basics in the 2,800-square-foot space, customers can rest in a conversation pit and snack on goodies from Jon & Vinny’s, Awan and Gjusta in the pantry.
—The Editors, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023
To keep people interested, it's thought that free snacks were thrown to the crowds — the Daily Mail reported that archeologists found centuries-old fruit pits and nutshells beneath the site.
—Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2023
Some of the wooden steps around the house are also broken, as is the fire pit and some of the outdoor furniture.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 Nov. 2023
Verb
Biden has lagged behind Trump in recent polls pitting the two in a hypothetical 2024 election matchup, including in a slate of swing states according to a New York Times-Siena College poll from earlier this month.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner, 25 Nov. 2023
The 80-year-old nuclear physicist and cancer survivor has won 10 years in a row for his age group in the Locals category, which pits Oceansiders against each other.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023
The mayoral race will pit Omar Garcia Harfuch, former security minister for the city under Sheinbaum and her close ally, against Iztapalapa borough leader Clara Brugada, who is more closely associated with AMLO.
—Maya Averbuch, Bloomberg.com, 10 Nov. 2023
Officially known as the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, the event pits ten of the best cricket nations in the world against each other for a chance to hoist the official trophy of the One Day International (ODI) cricket tournament.
—Tim Chan, Variety, 2 Nov. 2023
One of our signal failures, decades ago, was to accept the false choice pitting climate change mitigation against economic growth.
—Bydavid Schimel, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2023
In his speech, Lynch claimed that the secret to controlling the enslaved was pitting them against one another.
—Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023
The state’s Senate contest last year, which pitted Senator Mark Kelly against Blake Masters, the Republican nominee, cost more than $225 million.
—Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2023
The show is designed to pit contestants against one another, which proved challenging to Bains, whose values of loyalty, service and honesty were challenged.
—Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English pytt (akin to Old High German pfuzzi well), from Latin puteus well, pit
Noun (2)
Dutch, from Middle Dutch — more at pith
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb (1)
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun (2)
1803, in the meaning defined above
Verb (2)
1879, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of pit was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing pit
Dictionary Entries Near pit
Cite this Entry
“Pit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pit. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
pit
1 of 4 noun1
: a hole, shaft, or cavity in the ground
a gravel pit
2
: an area set off from and often sunken below neighboring areas: as
a
: an enclosure where animals (as cocks) are set to fight
b
: the space occupied by an orchestra in a theater
3
a
: a hollowed or indented area especially in the surface of the body
the pit of the stomach
b
: an indented scar (as from a boil)
4
plural
: worst entry 3 sense 1
it's the pits
5
: any of the areas alongside an auto racetrack used for servicing cars during a race
—often used in plural with the
pit
2 of 4 verb
pitted; pitting
1
a
: to put into or store in a pit
b
: to make pits in
especially
: to scar with pits
2
: to set against another in a fight or contest
pitted the courageous fighter against the champion
3
: to become marked with pits
pit
3 of 4 noun
: the stone of a fruit (as the cherry or peach) that is a drupe
pit
4 of 4 verb
pitted; pitting
: to remove the pit from
pitted dates
Etymology
Noun
Old English pytt "pit, hole in the ground"
Noun
from Dutch pit "the seed-containing stone of a fruit"
Medical Definition
pit
1 of 2 noun
: a hollow or indentation especially in a surface of an organism: as
a
: a natural hollow in the surface of the body
b
: one of the indented scars left in the skin by a pustular disease : pockmark
c
: a usually developmental imperfection in the enamel of a tooth that takes the form of a small pointed depression
pit
2 of 2 verb
pitted; pitting
: to make pits in
especially
: to scar or mark with pits
a face pitted by acne
: to become marked with pits
especially
: to preserve for a time an indentation made by pressure
a swollen area on the gingiva which pits readily —A. B. Wade
A. B. Wade
Geographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on pit
Nglish: Translation of pit for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of pit for Arabic Speakers
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