stops: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral (common in formal and informal contexts)
Quick answer
What does “stops” mean?
A place where a vehicle halts to pick up or set down passengers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A place where a vehicle halts to pick up or set down passengers; the act of bringing or coming to an end.
Points at which a process, activity, or journey is interrupted or concludes. Can refer to punctuation marks (full stops), sound articulation in phonetics (plosives), or obstacles. The verb form denotes causing motion or activity to cease.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In public transport, 'bus stop' is universal. In rail contexts, 'station' is more common than 'train stop' in both, but 'stop' is used for minor points. The phrase 'pull out all the stops' (to make maximum effort) is equally common. Punctuation: British 'full stop' vs. American 'period'.
Connotations
In UK context, 'stops' can feel slightly more informal for transport (e.g., "get off at the next stop"). In US, it's utterly standard.
Frequency
The noun form is extremely high-frequency in both dialects. The verb form is a core, essential verb.
Grammar
How to Use “stops” in a Sentence
stop + NP (stop the car)stop + V-ing (stop talking)stop + to-inf (stop to talk)stop + prep phrase (stop at the lights)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stops” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The rain stops by afternoon.
- He never stops talking.
- This medicine stops the pain.
- Do stop by for a cuppa.
American English
- The bus stops here.
- She stops working at five.
- That law stops unfair practices.
- We should stop by the mall.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The project stops if funding is withdrawn." Refers to termination of processes.
Academic
"The study stops data collection at the defined endpoint." Used in methodological descriptions.
Everyday
"The bus stops right outside my house." Refers to transport.
Technical
"The mechanism has multiple safety stops." In engineering; also 'stops' in phonetics for plosive consonants.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stops”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stops”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stops”
- Incorrect: 'I stopped to smoke' (implies you stopped an activity in order to smoke). Correct (for quitting): 'I stopped smoking.'
- Incorrect preposition: 'Stop on the red light' vs. correct 'Stop at the red light.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common for road/rail transport, 'stop' can refer to any scheduled halt on a journey (e.g., a stop on a tour, a pit stop in racing).
'Stop doing' means to cease an activity. 'Stop to do' means to interrupt one activity in order to start another (e.g., 'He stopped running' vs. 'He stopped to run').
Yes, when conjugated for third person singular present tense (he/she/it stops). For example, 'The machine stops automatically.'
A place where a vehicle halts to pick up or set down passengers.
Stops is usually neutral (common in formal and informal contexts) in register.
Stops: in British English it is pronounced /stɒps/, and in American English it is pronounced /stɑːps/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pull out all the stops”
- “put a stop to something”
- “a whistle-stop tour”
- “stop dead in one's tracks”
- “stop at nothing”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a red STOP sign. The word 'STOPS' is written on each of its 4 posts: S-T-O-P-S. It makes the car and everything else STOP.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVING IS PROGRESSING / LIFE IS A JOURNEY; therefore, STOPPING IS FAILING TO PROGRESS or REACHING A DESTINATION (e.g., 'Her career came to a stop.' 'We stopped at our goal.')
Practice
Quiz
In the context of transport, what is the most precise meaning of 'stops'?