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

One California resident was lucky enough to walk away with a couple million after a quick pit stop at the local smoke shop. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

During a later pit stop, Reddick pumped water out of the suit, which had begun to cook because of temperatures in the high-80s. —ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026

Then Hamlin dominated last year's title-decider at Phoenix Raceway but the wrong call on the final pit stop cost him the Cup championship that has eluded the three-time Daytona 500 winner. —Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026

Outright pace helped Kirkwood, who started seventh, overcome a tepid final pit stop and overhaul Palou down the stretch. —John Sturbin, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026

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