stopper

American  

[stop-er] / ˈstɒp ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that stops.

2. a plug, cork, bung, or other piece for closing a bottle, tube, drain, or the like.

3. Informal. something or someone that commands attention, as an unusual window display or a flamboyant person.

4. Cards. a card in a suit that prevents the successive taking of all tricks in the suit by the opponents.

5. Baseball Slang. a formidably and consistently effective pitcher counted on to win, as a team's best starting pitcher or a superior reliever often called on to preserve a victory; pitching ace.

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verb (used with object)

1. to close, secure, or fit with a stopper.

stopper British  

/ ˈstɒpə /

noun

1. Also: stopple.  a plug or bung for closing a bottle, pipe, duct, etc

2. a person or thing that stops or puts an end to something

3. bridge another name for stop

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verb

1. Also: stopple.  (tr) to close or fit with a stopper

Other Word Forms

• stopperless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of stopper

First recorded in 1470–80; stop + -er ¹

Explanation

A stopper is plug or a cork — it's designed to block the opening of a container by fitting partially inside it. The rubber plug you use to keep your bath water from going down the drain is a type of stopper. The cork in the neck of a wine bottle is a stopper . Other kinds of stoppers halt or prevent something. A crime stopper keeps criminals at bay, and a conversation stopper is something you say that is so awkward or profound that no one can think of anything to say in response.

Example Sentences

Demand for alarm clocks took off in the late 19th century and early models were named the Rattler, the Slumber Stopper and the Tornado.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

"This is in addition to the Crime Stopper award which is also $5000… totaling $15000 for a reward for information."

From Fox News • Sep. 25, 2021

Most people around the world remember Aquille Carr, or Lor Quille, as the Crime Stopper.

From Salon • May 4, 2019

Bark Stopper can be found most easily in catalogues and I assume through the Internet, though that’s not my preferred way of shopping.”

From Washington Post • Apr. 28, 2017

That disturbed him even more than not knowing some of the words Alby kept saying—words like Stopper and Bagger—that didn’t sound so good.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner