traffic stop
noun
plural traffic stops
: an instance of police stopping a driver (as for speeding or a broken taillight)
She was pulled over for a routine traffic stop.
an officer making a traffic stop
Examples of traffic stop in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Would a racist cop murder him later that afternoon in a traffic stop?
—
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The cards were left in several cars abandoned after their occupants were arrested by ICE agents earlier this week in Eagle County, during what Sánchez described as fake traffic stops.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
The Department of Public Safety agreed to return the cash in July, ten months after the traffic stop, on the condition that Jimmy and Jabrion Hardin don’t seek further action against the state and cover their own attorney fees.
—Keaton Ross, Oklahoma Watch, 23 Jan. 2026
Speeding was the second-most common reason for traffic stops, yet its growth in enforcement was muted compared to other infractions, according to the data.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for traffic stop
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Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The cards were left in several cars abandoned after their occupants were arrested by ICE agents earlier this week in Eagle County, during what Sánchez described as fake traffic stops.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
The Department of Public Safety agreed to return the cash in July, ten months after the traffic stop, on the condition that Jimmy and Jabrion Hardin don’t seek further action against the state and cover their own attorney fees.
—Keaton Ross, Oklahoma Watch, 23 Jan. 2026
Speeding was the second-most common reason for traffic stops, yet its growth in enforcement was muted compared to other infractions, according to the data.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for traffic stop
Cite this Entry
“Traffic stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traffic%20stop. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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