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

Things might make a pit stop in Malaysia or Taiwan. —Alina Selyukh, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025

After blazing through Season 13, this veteran diva is taking a pit stop from her tours and residencies to set the competition aflame. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025

To register to participate in Bike Anywhere Day or to apply to host a pit stop, visit SANDAG.org/bikeday. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025

The overtime restart saw Denny Hamlin on the front row, courtesy of a quick pit stop his crew was able to execute. —David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 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