traffic stop

noun

plural traffic stops
: an instance of police stopping a driver (as for speeding or a broken taillight)
She was pulled over for a routine traffic stop.
an officer making a traffic stop

Examples of traffic stop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The family's attorneys say Dorsey was not suspected of a crime and was not the subject of a traffic stop. — Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Patterson said the department has not found any evidence the involved officers had problematic traffic stops, arrest records or external complaints. — Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 An area attorney and former chief public defender who was arrested earlier this year on multiple felony drug charges after a raid on his residence was arrested again early Monday on drug and gun charges following a traffic stop. — Steven Mross, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026 The trooper pulled out and followed the Gladiator driver until finding a safe spot for a traffic stop in the area of Exit 51. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for traffic stop

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of traffic stop was in 1953

Rhymes for traffic stop

See All Rhymes for traffic stop

Browse Nearby Words

traffic signal
traffic stop
traffic stopper
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Traffic stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traffic%20stop. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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