stopper

[stop-er]

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.

verb (used with object)

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

stopper

/ 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

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• stopperless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stopper¹

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

Example Sentences

“But if that player isn’t as good as the younger player, they’re a progress stopper for your team.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Rappelling off the end of a rope is a distressingly common and often deadly mistake — one that can be prevented by tying a stopper knot at the end of the rope.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Rams players on defense and offense noted that Ford is more than a run stopper — he has 11 ½ sacks — and that he can make plays across the field.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As he has done repeatedly this year, Kershaw served as a stopper to another Dodgers slide, setting a new season high with eight strikeouts while giving up just two hits through his first five innings.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The 6ft 4in stopper has 93 appearances to his name, only 52 of which have come in the Belgian Pro League.

Read more on BBC