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

Nearly 17,000 gas stations go dry, turning pit stops into parking lots as panicked Americans try to fuel up before attendants tape off yet another empty pump. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

For a daytime pit stop outside the national park, head to Venga, a cafe with a beautiful porch view of the mountains at sunrise. —Megan Stringer, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024

In today's convenience store landscape, food and merchandise options play a big part in how satisfied travelers are when making a pit stop. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2024

With a can plugged onto the car, approximately 11 gallons of premium race juice will flow into the tank during a pit stop. —Jason Barlow, WIRED, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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