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

Footage for the film was captured during Eilish’s world tour, with the singer acknowledging the heavy camera presence during a pit stop in Manchester, United Kingdom, over the summer. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025

In between Mikayla and Mayci’s pregnancy-piss pit stops, Jessi goes to a therapy session back home. —Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025

Antonelli’s last pit stop was on Lap 47, while the Dutchman’s was on Lap 54. —Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025

On the way there, Sergio directed the driver to make pit stops at his favorite photo spots along the water. —Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 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