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.
Teresa Youngblut, 21, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Burlington, Vermont, to the shooting, which took place during a traffic stop in January. Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025 In December 2021 he was caught in Idaho during a traffic stop. Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 5 Sep. 2025 Officers initiated a traffic stop on the Volvo near Quebec Street and Northfield Boulevard. Sydney Isenberg, Denver Post, 4 Sep. 2025 The mayor said the Chicago police would not assist the National Guard with immigration enforcement or related activities such as conducting traffic stops and manning checkpoints, according to the order. Terry Collins, USA Today, 3 Sep. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Traffic stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traffic%20stop. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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