/ English Dictionary

STOP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected forms: stopped    , stopping   

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A brief stay in the course of a journey

Example:

they made a stopover to visit their friends

Synonyms:

layover; stop; stopover

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("stop" is a kind of...):

stay (continuing or remaining in a place or state)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stop"):

night-stop (a break in a journey for the night)

pit stop (a brief stop at a pit during an automobile race to take on fuel or service the car)

pit stop (a stop during an automobile trip for rest and refreshment)

stand (a stop made by a touring musical or theatrical group to give a performance)

Derivation:

stop (interrupt a trip)

stop (put an end to a state or an activity)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of stopping something

Example:

his stoppage of the flow resulted in a flood

Synonyms:

stop; stoppage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("stop" is a kind of...):

act; deed; human action; human activity (something that people do or cause to happen)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stop"):

stand-down; standdown ((military) a temporary stop of offensive military action)

haemostasia; haemostasis; hemostasia; hemostasis (surgical procedure of stopping the flow of blood (as with a hemostat))

Derivation:

stop (prevent completion)

stop (stop from happening or developing)

stop (put an end to a state or an activity)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An obstruction in a pipe or tube

Example:

we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe

Synonyms:

block; blockage; closure; occlusion; stop; stoppage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("stop" is a kind of...):

impediment; impedimenta; obstructer; obstruction; obstructor (any structure that makes progress difficult)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stop"):

breech closer; breechblock (a metal block in breech-loading firearms that is withdrawn to insert a cartridge and replaced to close the breech before firing)

plug; stopper; stopple (blockage consisting of an object designed to fill a hole tightly)

vapor lock; vapour lock (a stoppage in a pipeline caused by gas bubbles (especially a stoppage that develops in hot weather in an internal-combustion engine when fuel in the gas line boils and forms bubbles that block the flow of gasoline to the carburetor))

Sense 4

Meaning:

A restraint that checks the motion of something

Example:

he used a book as a stop to hold the door open

Synonyms:

catch; stop

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("stop" is a kind of...):

constraint; restraint (a device that retards something's motion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stop"):

trip; tripper (a catch mechanism that acts as a switch)

click; detent; dog; pawl (a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward)

doorstop; doorstopper (a stop that keeps open doors from moving)

bench hook (any of various stops on a workbench against which work can be pushed (as while chiseling or planing))

Derivation:

stop (hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of)

stop (seize on its way)

stop (render unsuitable for passage)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A mechanical device in a camera that controls size of aperture of the lens

Example:

the new cameras adjust the diaphragm automatically

Synonyms:

diaphragm; stop

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("stop" is a kind of...):

mechanical device (mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stop"):

iris; iris diaphragm (diaphragm consisting of thin overlapping plates that can be adjusted to change the diameter of a central opening)

Holonyms ("stop" is a part of...):

camera; photographic camera (equipment for taking photographs (usually consisting of a lightproof box with a lens at one end and light-sensitive film at the other))

Sense 6

Meaning:

(music) a knob on an organ that is pulled to change the sound quality from the organ pipes

Example:

the organist pulled out all the stops

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("stop" is a kind of...):

knob (a round handle)

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Holonyms ("stop" is a part of...):

organ; pipe organ (wind instrument whose sound is produced by means of pipes arranged in sets supplied with air from a bellows and controlled from a large complex musical keyboard)

Sense 7

Meaning:

A punctuation mark (.) placed at the end of a declarative sentence to indicate a full stop or after abbreviations

Example:

in England they call a period a stop

Synonyms:

full point; full stop; period; point; stop

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("stop" is a kind of...):

punctuation; punctuation mark (the marks used to clarify meaning by indicating separation of words into sentences and clauses and phrases)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stop"):

suspension point ((usually plural) one of a series of points indicating that something has been omitted or that the sentence is incomplete)

Sense 8

Meaning:

A consonant produced by stopping the flow of air at some point and suddenly releasing it

Example:

his stop consonants are too aspirated

Synonyms:

occlusive; plosive; plosive consonant; plosive speech sound; stop; stop consonant

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("stop" is a kind of...):

obstruent (a consonant that is produced with a partial or complete blockage of the airflow from the lungs through the nose or mouth)

Meronyms (parts of "stop"):

implosion (the initial occluded phase of a stop consonant)

explosion; plosion (the terminal forced release of pressure built up during the occlusive phase of a stop consonant)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stop"):

labial stop (a stop consonant that is produced with the lips)

glottal catch; glottal plosive; glottal stop (a stop consonant articulated by releasing pressure at the glottis; as in the sudden onset of a vowel)

click; suction stop (a stop consonant made by the suction of air into the mouth (as in Bantu))

Sense 9

Meaning:

The event of something ending

Example:

it came to a stop at the bottom of the hill

Synonyms:

halt; stop

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("stop" is a kind of...):

conclusion; ending; finish (event whose occurrence ends something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stop"):

stand; standstill; tie-up (an interruption of normal activity)

cessation; surcease (a stopping)

Derivation:

stop (cause to stop)

stop (come to a halt, stop moving)

stop (put an end to a state or an activity)

Sense 10

Meaning:

A spot where something halts or pauses

Example:

his next stop is Atlanta

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Hypernyms ("stop" is a kind of...):

place; spot; topographic point (a point located with respect to surface features of some region)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stop"):

bus stop (a place on a bus route where buses stop to discharge and take on passengers)

checkpoint (a place (as at a frontier) where travellers are stopped for inspection and clearance)

loading area; loading zone (a stop where carriers can be loaded and unloaded)

stopover; way station (a stopping place on a journey)

Derivation:

stop (interrupt a trip)

Sense 11

Meaning:

The state of inactivity following an interruption

Example:

he spent the entire stop in his seat

Synonyms:

arrest; check; halt; hitch; stay; stop; stoppage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("stop" is a kind of...):

inaction; inactiveness; inactivity (the state of being inactive)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "stop"):

countercheck (a check that restrains another check)

logjam (any stoppage attributable to unusual activity)

Derivation:

stop (stop and wait, as if awaiting further instructions or developments)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Prevent completion

Example:

break off the negotiations

Synonyms:

break; break off; discontinue; stop

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "stop" is one way to...):

end; terminate (bring to an end or halt)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "stop"):

break up; cut off; disrupt; interrupt (make a break in)

bog; bog down (get stuck while doing something)

fracture (become fractured)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

stop (the act of stopping something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Stop and wait, as if awaiting further instructions or developments

Example:

Hold on a moment!

Synonyms:

hold on; stop

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "stop" is one way to...):

break; interrupt (terminate)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

stop; stoppage (the state of inactivity following an interruption)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of

Example:

Turn back the tide of communism

Synonyms:

arrest; check; contain; hold back; stop; turn back

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "stop" is one way to...):

defend (be on the defensive; act against an attack)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "stop"):

cut down; cut out (intercept (a player))

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

stop (a restraint that checks the motion of something)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Seize on its way

Example:

The fighter plane was ordered to intercept an aircraft that had entered the country's airspace

Synonyms:

intercept; stop

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "stop" is one way to...):

catch; grab; take hold of (take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "stop"):

cut off; cut out (cut off and stop)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

stop (a restraint that checks the motion of something)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Render unsuitable for passage

Example:

stop the busy road

Synonyms:

bar; barricade; block; block off; block up; blockade; stop

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "stop" is one way to...):

block; close up; impede; jam; obstruct; obturate; occlude (block passage through)

Verb group:

block; obstruct (shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "stop"):

block off; close off; shut off (block off the passage through)

close (bar access to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

stop (a restraint that checks the motion of something)

stopper (blockage consisting of an object designed to fill a hole tightly)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Cause to stop

Example:

stop the thief

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Cause:

halt; stop (come to a halt, stop moving)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "stop"):

brake (cause to stop by applying the brakes)

draw up; pull up (cause (a vehicle) to stop)

stall (cause an airplane to go into a stall)

stall (cause an engine to stop)

flag down (signal to stop)

cut (stop filming)

bring up (cause to come to a sudden stop)

arrest; halt; hold (cause to stop)

rein; rein in (stop or check by or as if by a pull at the reins)

check (arrest the motion (of something) abruptly)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Antonym:

start (get going or set in motion)

Derivation:

stop (the event of something ending)

stoppage (the act of stopping something)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Come to a halt, stop moving

Example:

She stopped in front of a store window

Synonyms:

halt; stop

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "stop"):

settle (come to rest)

brake (stop travelling by applying a brake)

draw up; haul up; pull up (come to a halt after driving somewhere)

stall (experience a stall in flight, of airplanes)

conk; stall (come to a stop)

rein; rein in (stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins)

check (abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey)

check (stop in a chase especially when scent is lost)

check (stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution)

pull up short (stop abruptly)

go off (stop running, functioning, or operating)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Sentence examples:

They stop the animals

These cars won't stop

Antonym:

start (begin or set in motion)

Derivation:

stop (the event of something ending)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Interrupt a trip

Example:

they stopped for three days in Florence

Synonyms:

stop; stop over

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "stop" is one way to...):

break up; cut off; disrupt; interrupt (make a break in)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "stop"):

call (make a stop in a harbour)

lay over; stop over (interrupt a journey temporarily, e.g., overnight)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

stop (a brief stay in the course of a journey)

stop (a spot where something halts or pauses)

Sense 9

Meaning:

Stop from happening or developing

Example:

Halt the process

Synonyms:

block; halt; kibosh; stop

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "stop" is one way to...):

forbid; foreclose; forestall; preclude; prevent (keep from happening or arising; make impossible)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "stop"):

stay (stop a judicial process)

embargo (prevent commerce)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

They stop him from writing the letter

Derivation:

stop (the act of stopping something)

Sense 10

Meaning:

Have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense; either spatial or metaphorical

Example:

The symphony ends in a pianissimo

Synonyms:

cease; end; finish; stop; terminate

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "stop"):

break (come to an end)

discontinue (come to or be at an end)

come out; turn out (result or end)

close; conclude (come to a close)

disappear; go away; vanish (become invisible or unnoticeable)

go; run low; run short (to be spent or finished)

run out (become used up; be exhausted)

climax; culminate (end, especially to reach a final or climactic stage)

disappear; vanish (cease to exist)

adjourn; break up; recess (close at the end of a session)

go out (become extinguished)

cut out (cease operating)

lapse (end, at least for a long time)

pass away (go out of existence)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Sense 11

Meaning:

Put an end to a state or an activity

Example:

Quit teasing your little brother

Synonyms:

cease; discontinue; give up; lay off; quit; stop

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "stop"):

drop; knock off (stop pursuing or acting)

leave off (stop using)

sign off (cease broadcasting; get off the air; as of radio stations)

retire; withdraw (withdraw from active participation)

pull the plug (prevent from happening or continuing)

close off; shut off (stem the flow of)

cheese (used in the imperative (get away, or stop it))

call it a day; call it quits (stop doing what one is doing)

break (give up)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Somebody ----s VERB-ing

Sentence example:

They stop moving

Derivation:

stop (a brief stay in the course of a journey)

stop (the act of stopping something)

stop (the event of something ending)

stoppage (the act of stopping something)

Credits

 Context examples: 

The oldest tradition stopped before it got back to him.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Other factors, such as storms, may stop the smoke in its tracks.

(Australian bushfire smoke drifts to South America, SciDev.Net)

I tumble down before I get to the old place, at a point where I was all right before, and stop to think.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It stops cancer cells from growing and dividing, and may kill them.

(ABI-007, NCI Dictionary)

The car stopped at the front door; it was opened by a maid-servant; I alighted and went in.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

MORAb-009 binds to mesothelin (a protein that is made by some cancer cells) and stops the cells from dividing.

(MORAb-009, NCI Dictionary)

A substance that kills bacteria or stops them from growing and causing disease.

(Antibacterial, NCI Dictionary)

Infection control is key to stopping MRSA in hospitals.

(MRSA, NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

MTX stops cells from making DNA and may kill cancer cells.

(MTX, NCI Dictionary)

It was possible that he might stop in his way home to ask them how they did.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

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