n.
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 a : CESSATION , END b : a pause or breaking off in speech
2 a (1) : a graduated set of organ pipes of similar design and tone quality (2) : a corresponding set of vibrators or reeds of a reed organ (3) : STOP KNOB ― often used figuratively in phrases like pull out all the stops to suggest holding nothing back b : a means of regulating the pitch of a musical instrument
3 a : something that impedes, obstructs, or brings to a halt : IMPEDIMENT , OBSTACLE b : the aperture of a camera lens also : a marking of a series (as of f-numbers) on a camera for indicating settings of the diaphragm c : a drain plug : STOPPER
4 : a device for arresting or limiting motion
5 : the act of stopping : the state of being stopped : CHECK
6 a : a halt in a journey : STAY <made a brief stop to refuel> b : a stopping place <a bus stop >
7 a chiefly British : any of several punctuation marks b ― used in telegrams and cables to indicate a period c : a pause or break in a verse that marks the end of a grammatical unit
8 a : an order stopping payment (as of a check or note) by a bank b : STOP ORDER
9 : a consonant characterized by complete closure of the breath passage in the course of articulation ― compare CONTINUANT
10 : a depression in the face of an animal at the junction of forehead and muzzle
11 : a function of an electronic device that stops a recording