stop

verb

\ ˈstäp

stopped; stopping

Definition of stop

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to close by filling or obstructing

b : to hinder or prevent the passage of

c : to get in the way of : be wounded or killed by easy to stop a bullet along a lonely … road— Harvey Fergusson

2a : to close up or block off (an opening) : plug

b : to make impassable : choke, obstruct

c : to cover over or fill in (a hole or crevice)

3a : to cause to give up or change a course of action

b : to keep from carrying out a proposed action : restrain, prevent stopped them from leaving

4a : to cause to cease : check, suppress

b : discontinue

5a : to deduct or withhold (a sum due)

b : to instruct one's bank to refuse (payment) or refuse payment of (something, such as a check)

6a : to arrest the progress or motion of : cause to halt stopped the car

b : parry

c : to check by means of a weapon : bring down, kill

d : to beat in a boxing match by a knockout broadly : defeat

e : baffle, nonplus

7a : to change the pitch of (something, such as a violin string) by pressing with the finger

b : to change the pitch of (a wind instrument) by closing one or more finger holes or by thrusting the hand or a mute into the bell

8 : to hold an honor card and enough protecting cards to be able to block (a bridge suit) before an opponent can run many tricks

intransitive verb

1a : to cease activity or operation his heart stopped the motor stopped

b : to come to an end especially suddenly : close, finish The talking stopped when she entered the room.

2a : to cease to move on : halt

b : pause, hesitate

3a : to break one's journey : stay

b chiefly British : remain

c : to make a brief call : drop in

4 : to become choked : clog the sink often stops up

stop

noun

Definition of stop (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : cessation, end

b : a pause or breaking off in speech

2a(1) : a graduated set of organ pipes of similar design and tone quality

(2) : a corresponding set of vibrators or reeds of a reed organ

(3) : stop knob —often used figuratively in phrases like pull out all the stops to suggest holding nothing back

b : a means of regulating the pitch of a musical instrument

3a : something that impedes, obstructs, or brings to a halt : impediment, obstacle

b : the aperture of a camera lens also : a marking of a series (as of f-numbers) on a camera for indicating settings of the diaphragm

c : a drain plug : stopper

4 : a device for arresting or limiting motion

5 : the act of stopping : the state of being stopped : check

6a : a halt in a journey : stay made a brief stop to refuel

b : a stopping place a bus stop

7a chiefly British : any of several punctuation marks

b —used in telegrams and cables to indicate a period

c : a pause or break in a verse that marks the end of a grammatical unit

8a : an order stopping payment (as of a check or note) by a bank

b : stop order

9 : a consonant characterized by complete closure of the breath passage in the course of articulation — compare continuant

10 : a depression in the face of an animal at the junction of forehead and muzzle

11 : a function of an electronic device that stops a recording

stop

adjective

Definition of stop (Entry 3 of 3)

: serving to stop : designed to stop stop line stop signal

Other Words from stop Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about stop

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Choose the Right Synonym for stop

Verb

stop, cease, quit, discontinue, desist mean to suspend or cause to suspend activity. stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness. stopped at the red light cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality. by nightfall the fighting had ceased quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing. the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice. we have discontinued the manufacture of that item desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing. desisted from further efforts to persuade them

Examples of stop in a Sentence

Verb

She was walking toward me, and then she suddenly stopped. The bus stopped at the corner. He stopped to watch the sun set. He stopped to pick up a penny. The car was going so fast that it couldn't stop in time. The traffic light turned red, so she had to stop. Stop that man! He stole my wallet. They stopped us at the border to check our passports. She stopped the car and turned back. He was stopped by the police for speeding.

Noun

His first stop will be Washington, D.C. Our first stop has to be the gas station. I need to make a stop at the grocery store on the way home. The next stop is Main Street and Tower Square. I'm getting off at the next stop. Slow down as you approach the stop.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

What if America leaves NATO, or antibiotics stop working, orFacebook switches itself off in Europe? — The Economist, "Why it's worth reading crazy-sounding scenarios about the future," 6 July 2019 Apparently, though, Romanovs had sewn jewels into their clothing, which stopped the bullets. — Elena Nicolaou, refinery29.com, "The Dramatic True Story Of Russia's Last Dynasty, The Romanovs," 5 July 2019 The government insisted the legislation would stop the enclave from becoming a criminal haven, while detractors fear Beijing would use it to arrest dissidents. — Time, "Hong Kong University Students Reject Invitation to Meet City's Leader for Closed-Door Talks," 5 July 2019 As the wrangling continues, Hazel is poised to authorize litigants to start producing information in a case that could stop the question on different grounds from what the Supreme Court heard. — Anchorage Daily News, "Trump administration scrambles to save citizenship question on census," 5 July 2019 Rivera initially stopped for Exantus, the report said. — Annie Martin, orlandosentinel.com, "One driver has been arrested and police are searching for a second after two men were killed in crashes on OBT," 4 July 2019 Post-event trains will make all local weekend stops from San Francisco to San Jose. — Patrick May, The Mercury News, "How to get, from San Francisco’s July 4 fireworks spectacular — without a car," 3 July 2019 GiaNina had her Snooki solo pulled on Dance Moms after her mom Joanne wouldn't stop complaining about the dance's content and costume. — Martha Sorren, Woman's Day, "Abby Cut GiaNina's 'Jersey Shore'-Themed Solo On This Week's 'Dance Moms'," 3 July 2019 The colorful hotel is a must stop on any jetsetter's itinerary. — Leena Kim, Town & Country, "10 Best Places to Drink Aperol Spritzes This Summer," 3 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

However, within his stop start term, the Sporting CP academy graduate has aided his side's Scudetto charge by providing three assists, the last of which came in September. — SI.com, "West Ham Set to Reopen Talks With Inter for Joao Mario Following Loan Deal Breakdown," 19 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stop.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

8 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for stop

The first known use of stop was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for stop

stop

verb

English Language Learners Definition of stop

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to not move, walk, etc., after doing so before

: to cause (someone or something) to not move, walk, etc., after doing so before

: to not do something that you have been doing before : to not continue doing something

stop

noun

English Language Learners Definition of stop (Entry 2 of 2)

: a state in which someone or something is no longer moving

: a state in which no further activity happens

sports : a play that stops an opponent from scoring a goal

See the full definition for stop in the English Language Learners Dictionary

stop

verb

\ ˈstäp

stopped; stopping

Kids Definition of stop

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to cease moving especially temporarily or for a purpose I stopped to catch my breath. The bus stops here.

2 : to halt the movement or progress of Stop the car!

3 : to keep from doing something I couldn't stop him from leaving.

4 : to come or bring (something) to an end The rain stopped. Stop that yelling.

5 : to cease operating or functioning The engine just stopped.

6 : to close or block up or become closed or blocked up : plug I stopped my ears with cotton. The drain was stopped up.

7 : to take time Stop to think first.

stop

noun

Kids Definition of stop (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : end entry 1 sense 2, finish Let's put a stop to the arguing.

2 : the act of bringing or coming to a halt : the state of being stopped The train came to a stop.

3 : a halt in a journey : stay We made a brief stop in the mountains.

4 : a stopping place a bus stop

5 : something that delays, blocks, or brings to a halt a door stop

6 : stopper, plug

7 : a set of organ pipes of one tone quality : a control knob for such a set

stop

verb

stopped; stopping

Legal Definition of stop

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to cause to halt stopped payment

2 : to subject to a legal stop

intransitive verb

: to cease activity or motion

stop

noun

Legal Definition of stop (Entry 2 of 2)

: an act or instance of stopping specifically : a temporary detention that constitutes a limited seizure of a person for the purpose of inquiry or investigation and that must be based on reasonable suspicion — see also terry stop — compare arrest