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
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.
Points leader Denny Hamlin also rebounded from a pit stop miscue that dropped the Joe Gibbs Racing driver outside the top 15 with less than 100 laps remaining. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 He was dealt a drive-thru penalty on his first pit stop of the race and his team had an issue with his front left tire on another stop. — Matt Reigle , Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Even if none of the above appeals to your particular travel tastes, Pavel reminds that an oceanside pit stop is, and always has been, good for the soul. — Carrie Bell, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Families heading to Las Vegas may love a water park pit stop, especially when the summer heat sizzles over 100 degrees. — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pit stop

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pit stop was in 1915

Rhymes for pit stop

See All Rhymes for pit stop

Browse Nearby Words

pit scale
pit stop
Pitt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pit stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pit%20stop. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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