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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Officers fatally shot one man during a traffic stop, while other agents use tear gas, rubber bullets and physical force. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2025 That means the Kansas Bureau of Investigations and the Missouri Highway Patrol, among others, can question people during traffic stops and make civil immigration arrests without criminal charges. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 14 Nov. 2025 The decision comes amid ongoing concerns over racial profiling and constitutional rights as the administration’s broad deportation campaign targets people of all ages, with arrests taking place outside businesses, court hearings, traffic stops and workplaces. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025 The traffic stop was initiated because Sampson was allegedly driving recklessly and had fled another traffic stop attempted by the Tampa Police Department, according to the affidavit. Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for traffic stop

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of traffic stop was in 1953

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Traffic stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traffic%20stop. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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