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
Arias was found on the ground, roughly 5 feet from the driver’s side door, by the officer from the traffic stop, the affidavit stated.
—
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
Most of it was from extra patrols, in addition to foot patrols, traffic stops and special detail, according to data from the sheriff’s office.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
On April 13, five days after the murder, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies pulled Byrd over during a traffic stop in Greenacres, according to an arrest affidavit.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026
Nearly one year ago, Rajon Belt-Stubblefield was shot and killed by an Aurora police officer near East 6th Avenue and Billings Street after fleeing a traffic stop.
—Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for traffic stop
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.
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
Most of it was from extra patrols, in addition to foot patrols, traffic stops and special detail, according to data from the sheriff’s office.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
On April 13, five days after the murder, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies pulled Byrd over during a traffic stop in Greenacres, according to an arrest affidavit.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026
Nearly one year ago, Rajon Belt-Stubblefield was shot and killed by an Aurora police officer near East 6th Avenue and Billings Street after fleeing a traffic stop.
—Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 6 June 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 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
