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

While Hamlin’s pit crew delivered with a timely pit stop, six other cars ahead of him took only two tires while three other cars stayed on track. —Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

Think of it like taking regular pit stops during a long drive to refuel. —Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025

Buellton is one of those spots that started as a quick pit stop and quickly became one of my family’s favorite destinations. —Maggie Downs, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025

The tiny town off I-8 is more than a pit stop for tourists. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 27 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