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

During a pit stop in Oklahoma, Damian got loose from his leash and ran off. —Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2025

On your Highway 6 drive to Tillamook, plan for a pit stop at the Tillamook Forest Center or pack a picnic and make a day out of it. —Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2025

On your way to West Yellowstone, make a pit stop at Bozeman Hot Springs, one of the best destination hot spots. —Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Tune into this season for a pit stop at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark., and a future foray to Las Vegas. —Sarah Goodman, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025

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