nonstop

American  

[non-stop, non-stop] / ˈnɒnˈstɒp, ˈnɒnˌstɒp /

adjective

1. being without a single stop en route.

   a nonstop bus; a nonstop flight from New York to Paris.

2. happening, done, or held without a stop or pause or without offering relief or respite.

   The ambassador faced a nonstop schedule of meetings and interviews during her visit.

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adverb

1. without a single stop en route.

2. Informal. without a pause or interruption or without respite; continually.

   My back ached nonstop for three days.

noun

1. a long-distance airline flight that makes no stops between the starting point and the destination.

nonstop British  

/ ˈnɒnˈstɒp /

adjective

1. done without pause or interruption

   a nonstop flight

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Etymology

Origin of nonstop

First recorded in 1900–05; non- + stop

Explanation

Things that are nonstop keep going all the time without pausing. A week of nonstop rain can cause flooding, and be pretty gloomy too. You can use the word nonstop as an adjective or adverb, and while it can literally mean "without stopping," it's also frequently used in an exaggerated way, to mean "a lot of the time." Your friend's description of a nonstop dance party or a nervous substitute teacher who giggles nonstop are examples of this. A nonstop plane flight, on the other hand, literally flies from one city to another without landing at another airport on the way.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nonstop

Its 10 new international destinations include eight that no other U.S. airline serves nonstop.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

The Lincoln has docked just twice since it left San Diego, and its crew has sometimes supported nonstop combat operations for weeks straight.

From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026

If she appears in public to be more or less a nonstop Liza Minnelli tribute act, a couple of unplanned encounters between her and Saxberger reveal certain other aspects.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

"It was pretty much nonstop from sunrise to sunset," said the lifeguard, sporting the red trunks made famous on the TV show "Baywatch."

From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026

Now, suddenly, Mom realized that recreational gymnastics might be the perfect outlet for her daughters—especially for me, her little bouncing bean who jumped and climbed on everything nonstop.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Related Words

• ceaseless
• constant
• endless
• incessant
• interminable
• relentless
• round-the-clock
• steady
• unbroken
• unending
• uninterrupted