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stop

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verb British English pronunciation: stop /stɒp/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theystop
he/she/itstops
present participlestopping
past tensestopped
past participlestopped
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [transitive] to prevent someone from doing something, or to prevent something from happening

    Policies like this aren't going to stop crime.

    stop someone (from) doing something:

    A broken leg won't stop me from going to the concert.

    there's nothing to stop you:

    There's nothing to stop you from asking him. He might agree.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stop
    1. a.
      to prevent a payment from being made

      Did you stop the cheque?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stop
  2. 2
    [intransitive/transitive] to no longer do something

    We stopped work and went for a drink.

    stop doing something:

    I want to stop smoking.

    Suddenly everyone stopped talking.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stop
    1. a.
      [intransitive] if something stops, it does not continue

      When the rain stops, I'm going out.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stop
  3. 3
    [intransitive] to no longer move

    The car stopped at the traffic lights.

    Lots of people stopped and stared at the accident.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stop
    1. a.
      [transitive] to ask someone to stop walking or driving so that you can talk to them

      I stopped a woman and asked her for directions.

      He was stopped for speeding.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stop
    2. b.
      [intransitive] if a bus or train stops somewhere, it stops moving in order to let passengers on or off
      stop at:

      Does the train stop at Nice?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stop
    3. c.
      [intransitive] to pause while you are moving or doing something so that you can do something else

      He stopped and listened before opening the door.

      Did you ever stop to think what might happen?

      stop to do something:

      I stopped to get a drink of water.

      stop for:

      I stopped at the shop for some cheese.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stop
  4. 4
    [intransitive/transitive] to no longer work, or to cause something to no longer work

    My watch has stopped.

    Can you stop the engine?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stop
  5. 5
    [intransitive/transitive] British spoken to stay at someone's house for a short time

    Have you got time to stop for a cup of coffee?

    stop the night:

    I stopped the night with Tom.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stop

phrases

This is the British English definition of stop. View American English definition of stop.

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