doorstop

American  

[dawr-stop] / ˈdɔrˌstɒp /

noun

• doorstops
  plural

1. a device for holding a door open, as a wedge or small weight.

2. Also called stop, slamming stile. (in a doorframe) a strip or projecting surface against which the door closes.

3. a device for preventing a door from striking a wall or an object on a wall, as a small rubber-covered projection.

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doorstop British  

/ ˈdɔːˌstɒp /

noun

1. a heavy object, wedge, or other device which prevents an open door from moving

2. a projecting piece of rubber, etc, fixed to the floor to stop a door from striking a wall

3. informal a very thick book

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• doorstops
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of doorstop

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; door + stop

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

doorstop doorstops

This sophisticated network is what can get the goods you order to your doorstop in hours, and it provides flexibility for workers who have irregular schedules such as college students and home caretakers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

"I don't want it to be a doorstop or in the bottom drawer, I want it to be on the mantelpiece."

From BBC ● Nov. 19, 2025

Ignoring this opportunity is like discovering the Rosetta Stone and using it as a doorstop.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2025

Additionally, while this isn’t size related, the doorstop on the floor is nearly invisible, especially at night.

From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2024

That’s what Nike looked like: a divine doorstop, splitting in two.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

In his travels, Tocqueville saw pieces of the famous Plymouth Rock all over: used as doorstops, as paperweights, set in the centers of mantels like the mandibles of sainted martyrs.

From Slate ● Nov. 28, 2024

Unreadable doorstops her books may be, but they would seem to reveal something about the psychology of a significant slice of Americans.

From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2024

He used them as doorstops for his greenhouse and a shed he has.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 20, 2021

As well as making the life-sized sculpture, he also raffled off a "burn picture", created by scorching a wooden board, of Capt Tom in his army days, together with other items including mugs and doorstops.

From BBC ● May 9, 2020

I push him through a set of double doors, propped open with doorstops.

From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth

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