WordGarden.iopit
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɪt/
US
- /ˈpɪt/
Meanings
Noun
a large hole, hollow, or sunken area in the ground or a surface
the hard stone or seed inside some fruits
an armpit
More meaningsFewer meanings
the service area beside a racetrack where vehicles stop for maintenance
the sunken area in front of a stage where musicians or audience members are located
Verb
to set people or things against each other in competition or conflict
Beyond the definition
A pit is most commonly a hole or hollow in the ground, like a deep place dug by archaeologists or a hidden trap. The word also refers to the hard center inside fruits like peaches, plums, and cherries. In a more figurative way, it can describe a deep bad feeling, as in the "pit of your stomach" when you are nervous. Whether it points to a real hole, the center of a fruit, or a heavy feeling inside, the word suggests something deep and enclosed.
The word "pit" has remarkably diverse meanings, all rooted in the concept of a hollowed-out space. Historically, pits were essential for survival, used for everything from storing grain and trapping wild animals to mining coal from the earth. This literal meaning remains a staple of the English language: construction workers dig pits for foundations, and archaeologists excavate them to uncover the past. We also see this in specific settings like an "orchestra pit" in a theater or a "pit stop" during a high-speed car race.
Beyond the dirt, "pit" also refers to the hard stone at the center of fruits such as olives, apricots, peaches, and cherries. This link to a deep central core has led to strong figurative uses. In anatomy and emotion, the "pit of the stomach" is the place where people often feel anxiety, dread, or excitement most strongly. Describing a situation as a "pit of despair" highlights a state of misery that feels impossible to climb out of.
Finally, "pit" functions as a verb, particularly in the phrase "to pit against." This describes setting two parties into a competition or conflict, much like the historical (and often cruel) practice of placing animals in a pit to fight. From the literal hole in the ground to the competitive arenas of business and sports, "pit" consistently evokes themes of depth, struggle, and the essential core of an object.
Examples
- 1
Dug hole
The dog had dug a deep pit under the fence.
- 2
Outdoor fire
We sat around the fire pit until it got dark.
- 3
Fruit pit
Be careful when you bite into a peach; the pit is hard.
- Usage
In British English, people often say stone for this meaning.
- 4
Food preparation
Pit the cherries before you add them to the cake.
- Patternpit + fruit
remove the hard center from it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Theater music
The musicians waited quietly in the orchestra pit.
- Phraseorchestra pit
the space below or in front of a stage where musicians sit
- 6
Travel stop
Let's make a quick pit stop for coffee before we get back on the road.
- Phrasepit stop
a short stop during a trip
- 7
Competition
The coach pitted the two fastest runners against each other.
- Patternpit someone against someone
make them compete or fight
- 8
Surface damage
The old metal door was pitted with rust.
- 9
Nervous feeling
I had a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach before the interview.
- Phrasethe pit of your stomach
the lower part of your stomach, often linked with fear or worry
- 10
Bad experience
Waiting in that office for three hours was the pits.
- Phrasethe pits
very bad or unpleasant
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- pitnounverb
Forms
- pitspluralnounverb
- pittedpast tenseverbnoun
- pitting-ing formverbnoun