traffic stop

noun

plural traffic stops
: an instance of police stopping a driver (as for speeding or a broken taillight)
She was pulled over for a routine traffic stop.
an officer making a traffic stop

Examples of traffic stop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The suspect’s wife was detained for questioning after a traffic stop near Onamia late on Saturday morning, multiple law enforcement sources told Minnesota ABC News affiliate KSTP. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 15 June 2025 Boelter’s wife was stopped by police during a traffic stop near Onamia, where authorities questioned and then released her, multiple law enforcement sources told KTSP. Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2025 Abrego Garcia was not charged with any offense at the traffic stop. Travis Loller, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025 Immigration, California and the US economy Trump’s administration is also stepping up deportation efforts in California, with immigration raids at restaurants, traffic stops and routine legal check-ins. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for traffic stop

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of traffic stop was in 1953

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Traffic stop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traffic%20stop. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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