First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1stop
verb \ˈstäp\
: to not move, walk, etc., after doing so before
: to cause (someone or something) to not move, walk, etc., after doing so before
: to not do something that you have been doing before : to not continue doing something
stoppedstop·ping
Full Definition of STOP
transitive verb
1
a : to close by filling or obstructing b : to hinder or prevent the passage of c : to get in the way of : be wounded or killed by <easy to stop a bullet along a lonely…road — Harvey Fergusson>
2
3
4
a : to cause to cease : check, suppress b : discontinue
5
a : to deduct or withhold (a sum due) b : to instruct one's bank to refuse (payment) or refuse payment of (as a check)
6
7
: to change the pitch of (as a violin string) by pressing with the finger or (as a wind instrument) by closing one or more finger holes or by thrusting the hand or a mute into the bell
8
: to hold an honor card and enough protecting cards to be able to block (a bridge suit) before an opponent can run many tricks
intransitive verb
1
See stop defined for English-language learners
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Origin of STOP
Middle English stoppen, from Old English -stoppian, from Vulgar Latin *stuppare to stop with tow, from Latin stuppa tow, from Greek styppē
Related to STOP
Synonym Discussion of STOP
stop, cease, quit, discontinue, desist mean to suspend or cause to suspend activity. stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness <stopped at the red light>. cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality <by nightfall the fighting had ceased>. quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing <the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether>. discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice <we have discontinued the manufacture of that item>. desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing <desisted from further efforts to persuade them>.
2stop
noun
Definition of STOP
2
a (1) : a graduated set of organ pipes of similar design and tone quality (2) : a corresponding set of vibrators or reeds of a reed organ (3) : stop knob —often used figuratively in phrases like pull out all the stops to suggest holding nothing back b : a means of regulating the pitch of a musical instrument
3
a : something that impedes, obstructs, or brings to a halt : impediment, obstacle b : the aperture of a camera lens; also : a marking of a series (as of f-numbers) on a camera for indicating settings of the diaphragm c : a drain plug : stopper
4
: a device for arresting or limiting motion
6
a : a halt in a journey : stay <made a brief stop to refuel> b : a stopping place <a bus stop>
7
a chiefly British : any of several punctuation marks b —used in telegrams and cables to indicate a period c : a pause or break in a verse that marks the end of a grammatical unit
8
a : an order stopping payment (as of a check or note) by a bank b : stop order
9
: a consonant characterized by complete closure of the breath passage in the course of articulation — compare continuant
10
: a depression in the face of an animal at the junction of forehead and muzzle
11
: a function of an electronic device that stops a recording
See stop defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of STOP
15th century
Related to STOP
- Antonyms
- continuance, continuation
Other Pictures (on film) Terms
3stop
adjective
Definition of STOP
: serving to stop : designed to stop <stop line> <stop signal>
First Known Use of STOP
1594
STOP[2] Defined for Kids
1stop
verb \ˈstäp\
stoppedstop·ping
Definition of STOP for Kids
1
: to cease moving especially temporarily or for a purpose <I stopped to catch my breath.> <The bus stops here.>
2
: to halt the movement or progress of <Stop the car!>
3
: to keep from doing something <I couldn't stop him from leaving.>
4
: to come or bring (something) to an end <The rain stopped.> <Stop that yelling.>
5
: to cease operating or functioning <The engine just stopped.>
6
: to close or block up or become closed or blocked up : plug <I stopped my ears with cotton.> <The drain was stopped up.>
7
: to take time <Stop to think first.>
2stop
noun
Definition of STOP for Kids
2
: the act of bringing or coming to a halt : the state of being stopped <The train came to a stop.>
3
: a halt in a journey : stay <We made a brief stop in the mountains.>
4
: a stopping place <a bus stop>
5
: something that delays, blocks, or brings to a halt <a door stop>
7
: a set of organ pipes of one tone quality : a control knob for such a set
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