n.
Pronunciation: ' stä-p ə r
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 : one that brings to a halt or causes to stop operating or functioning : CHECK : 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 (as a bung or cork) used to plug an opening