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

Drivers have long wanted to put a permanent stopper on stop-start.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Yet Hall is far from a mere stopper.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

The stopper denied Ivan Martin and Vanat with a remarkable double save, and then thwarted Joel Roca with his leg.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

"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 • Feb. 15, 2026

Poppy lifted out a deep blue vessel with a wide round mouth and a clay stopper.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye