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

Others — most notably Mercedes, which qualified poorly — sought to go long on their race-starting tires in hope of quicker pit stops due to a safety car. —Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 25 May 2025

For all things gingham and linen, make a pit stop at Piglet in Bed, which specializes in both. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 May 2025

It’s not known whether the Monarch will be going to the United States as a pit stop, but the door might be open for reconciliation. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 21 May 2025

Scott’s Iconium General Store— a popular pit stop for Scouting groups that’s located just under two hours southeast of Kansas City at 12770 NE Highway C near Osceola — was gutted in a fire back on Dec. 22. —Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pit stop

• atop
• backdrop
• backstop
• bebop
• blacktop
• bookshop
• clatsop
• desktop
• eavesdrop
• estop
• hardtop
• hilltop

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