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

Larson led 19 of the 110 laps and steadily gained ground on fresher tires after his last pit stop. —Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 9 June 2024

Austin Cindric takes over the race lead from Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace as green-flag pit stops come more than halfway through Stage 2. —Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2024

Make a pit stop at the 91st Street skate park to watch locals trying tricks in the bowls and halfpipes. —Karen I. Chen, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2024

On their way up California’s coast, Karlie Kloss and Taylor Swift take a pit stop at the beach to enshrine their love. —Zoë Haylock, Vulture, 19 Apr. 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