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

Example Sentences

“Aw, Jay Berry,” Daisy said, taking the stopper from the bottle, “castor oil isn’t hard to take. If you just close your eyes and swallow, you can’t even taste it.”

From Literature

"Purely from a security aspect, it's a bit ridiculous that I have to put a door stopper under my door to prevent somebody from kicking the door open," he said.

From BBC

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon the 33-year-old stopper needs to play regularly to make his case to start for Germany at the tournament.

From Barron's

Swiss stopper Sommer saved from Marc Pubill as well, with the hosts in the ascendancy in the final stages, and they eventually got their second in the third minute of stoppage time.

From Barron's

The Belgian stopper "has been diagnosed with viral gastroenteritis" said Madrid in a statement ahead of Wednesday's match in Athens.

From Barron's