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

The production pit stop comes before Gaga is due to play Stockholm’s Avicii Arena on Sunday night. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025

The swap at Monza did go back to the ‘right’ order and ensured Norris wasn’t punished for the bad luck of a pit stop. —Luke Smith, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025

Make a pit stop at the Grace’s High Falls Overlook to see the slender 133-foot water- fall that sits just across the ravine. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025

However, a late pit stop under caution led him to battle with Wallace, who wasn't willing to give up to his 23XI Racing team boss. —Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 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