stopper

[ stop-er ]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to close, secure, or fit with a stopper.

stopper

/ ˈstɒpə /

noun

1. Alsostoppleˈstɒpəl 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

verb

1. Alsostopple tr to close or fit with a stopper

Other Words From

• stopper·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stopper¹

First recorded in 1470–80; stop + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The bottle stopper was cork, which had expanded over time and stuck to the glass, while the wire which held it in place had rusted away.

From BBC

Smith is hardly a stopper to whom England have attached a pair of gloves.

From BBC

He changed Luke Schuermann’s role from more of a run stopper to a pass rusher.

From Los Angeles Times

So the Liverpool and Brazil stopper was probably always destined to be a goalkeeper, even though his "role model" brother tried to talk him out of it at one point.

From BBC

A rubber stopper prevents the bolt from penetrating further: It grabs a sample, then bounces off the animal and floats in the water.

From BBC