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English Words Starting With S

15,552 entries — pick a word to see its definition, pronunciation, and usage.

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Noun Verb Adjective Adverb Plural noun Combining form Verb (transitive)Verb (intransitive)Verb (ambitransitive)

stop clause
nounLow-frequency (Specialist)
/ˈstɒp ˌklɔːz/A contractual provision that allows one party to terminate or suspend the agreement if a specific negative event occurs.
stop codon
nounLow
/ˌstɒp ˈkəʊ.dɒn/A three-nucleotide sequence in DNA or RNA that signals the termination of protein synthesis during translation.
stop down
verbC1/C2 (Technical)
/ˌstɒp ˈdaʊn/To reduce the aperture (the size of the opening) of a camera lens to allow less light to enter, thereby increasing the depth of field.
stop knob
nounLow
/stɒp nɒb/A physical button or control on a device that is used to halt or interrupt its operation.
stop order
nounB2/C1
/ˈstɒp ˌɔː.dər/A conditional instruction given to a broker to buy or sell a security once it reaches a specified price, intended to limit an investor's loss or protect a profit.
stop out
nounverbC1-C2
/ˈstɒp aʊt/To temporarily withdraw from or interrupt participation in a regular activity, often referring to education.
stop payment
nounC1
/ˈstɒp ˈpeɪmənt/An instruction given to a bank not to pay a cheque or other payment order.
stop press
nounC2
/ˌstɒp ˈpres/A late or last-minute news item added to a newspaper after printing has begun, traditionally used in British English.
stop price
nounC1-C2
/ˈstɒp ˌpraɪs/A price at which a stop order to buy or sell becomes active; the minimum price a seller will accept at an auction.
stop sign
nounHigh
/ˈstɒp ˌsaɪn/A red, octagonal road sign bearing the word 'STOP', which legally requires drivers to bring their vehicle to a complete halt.
stop street
nounC1
/ˈstɒp striːt/A street, typically in an urban area, where traffic must come to a complete halt at an intersection, often controlled by a stop sign.
stop thrust
nounLow (Specialist)
/ˈstɒp ˌθrʌst/In fencing, a counter-attack delivered into an opponent's attack, with the primary intention of making them halt their own attack rather than to score a touch.
stop time
nounC1/C2 (Low frequency, technical term)
/ˈstɒp ˌtaɪm/In music, a technique where the band plays a short, sharp figure between sections of vocal or solo, creating a punctuated, rhythmic break.
stop volley
nounLow
/stɒp ˈvɒli/A volley shot in racket sports, such as tennis or badminton, hit to stop or slow the ball abruptly, often used tactically to deceive the opponent.
stop-limit order
nounLow
/ˈstɒp ˈlɪmɪt ˈɔːdə/A trading instruction to buy or sell a security once it reaches a specified stop price, which then triggers a limit order at a specific limit price.
stop-loss clause
nounC1
/ˈstɒp lɒs ˌklɔːz/A contractual provision that limits financial losses by automatically triggering a sale or other action when a specified price level is reached.
stop-motion
nounC1
/ˈstɒp ˌməʊʃ(ə)n/A filmmaking technique where objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the frames are played sequentially.
stop-off
nounverbB2
/ˈstɒp ɒf/A brief visit or short stay at a place during a longer journey.
stop-work
nounC1
/ˈstɒp wɜːk/A temporary cessation of labour by employees, typically as a form of protest or due to a safety concern, organised by workers themselves rather than by a formal union directive.
stopbank
nounC1
/ˈstɒp.bæŋk/A man-made embankment or levee, typically earth or stone, constructed specifically to hold back water and prevent flooding of adjacent land.

Showing 12481–12500 of 15552 words.