stopper

1 of 2

noun

stop·​per ˈstä-pər 

1

: one that brings to a halt or causes to stop operating or functioning : check: such as

a

: a playing card that will stop the running of a suit

b

: a baseball pitcher depended on to win important games or to stop a losing streak

also : an effective relief pitcher

2

: one that closes, shuts, or fills up

specifically : something (such as a bung or cork) used to plug an opening

stopper

2 of 2

verb

stoppered; stoppering ˈstä-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to close or secure with or as if with a stopper

stopper the bottle

Examples of stopper in a Sentence

Noun

His comment was a conversation stopper.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Making wine bottle stoppers, however, remains the main activity for Portugal’s cork industry, which employs around 8,000 people. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 4 Oct. 2024

The premium rubber stoppers are built to last and won’t degrade upon contact with acid, either. —Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2024

Verb

Technical fabrications are still making an appearance with a lot of wind stopper luxe nylons but in shapes and silhouettes that feel more part of a rtw collection than a purely function purchase. —Luisa Zargani, WWD, 18 June 2024

Like O’Rourke, this debate will be one of his best chances to stopper any more losses. —Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2019

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1769, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stopper

• heart-stopper
• stopper knot
• traffic stopper

Kids Definition

stopper

1 of 2 noun

stop·​per ˈstäp-ər 

1

: one that brings to a halt : check

2

: one that closes, shuts, or fills up

especially : something used to plug an opening

stopper

2 of 2 verb

: to close or fasten with or as if with a stopper