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

Fryce Cream, a concept inspired by that fortuitous road trip pit stop. —Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026

The aperitivo—mid-morning snack accompanied by booze—is a quintessential part of the Rastro experience, so pepper your bargain-sleuthing with boozy pit stops. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026

The neighborhood is a great one to explore on foot; make a pit stop at Ta Koritsia for a souvlaki to-go. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2026

Most prep school players take a pit stop for a year in the USHL or Canadian Jr. —Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 7 Apr. 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