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pit

n. · v.
US //ˈpɪt// UK //pˈɪt// pit
  1. 1 hole in the ground (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a large, deep hole in the ground.

    a natural or artificial cavity in the ground, often of considerable depth.

    Example

    The workers dug a deep pit to prepare for the new building's foundation.

    Example

    The archaeological team carefully excavated the pit, hoping to find evidence of the settlement's original boundary walls.
  2. 2 fruit stone (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Botany

    the hard seed or stone in the middle of some fruits like peaches or cherries.

    the hard, stony endocarp of a drupe, containing the seed.

    Example

    Be careful not to bite into the peach pit or you might hurt your teeth.

    Example

    The recipe requires you to remove the pits from the cherries before simmering them with sugar and lemon juice.
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  1. 3 racing stop (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    the area at a racetrack where cars stop for fuel or new tires.

    a designated area at a motor racing circuit used for refueling, mechanical repairs, and tire changes during a race.

    Example

    The driver pulled into the pit for a lightning-fast tire change.

    Example

    A miscommunication during the final pit stop cost the team several seconds, allowing their rivals to take the lead.
    • pit stop
  2. 4 orchestra area (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Music

    the area in a theater where the musicians sit, usually below the stage.

    the space in a theater, typically located at a lower level in front of the stage, reserved for the orchestra.

    Example

    From my seat in the front row, I could see the conductor in the pit.

    Example

    The acoustics of the orchestra pit were redesigned to ensure the brass section did not overpower the singers on stage.
    • orchestra pit
  3. 5 dirty place (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    a very dirty, messy, or unpleasant place.

    an undesirable, filthy, or squalid location or room.

    Example

    I need to clean my apartment; it has become a total pit lately.

    Example

    The critics described the budget hotel as a complete pit, citing the stained carpets and broken furniture in every room.
  4. 6 armpit (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Medicine

    a short way of saying armpit.

    the hollow under the arm at the shoulder.

    Example

    He was sweating through the pits of his shirt after the long run.

    Example

    The athlete applied extra deodorant to his pits before the televised interview to avoid any visible sweat patches.
  5. 7 to set against (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make two people or groups compete or fight against each other.

    to set someone or something in direct opposition or conflict with another.

    Example

    The tournament will pit the defending champion against a talented newcomer.

    Example

    The civil war pitted brother against brother, tearing the fabric of the small community apart for generations.

    Usage

    Usually used in the pattern 'pit someone against someone'.
  6. 8 to remove seeds (v.)
    C1 Advanced American English Technical Cooking

    to take the stones or seeds out of a fruit.

    to remove the stone or endocarp from a fruit.

    Example

    She spent the afternoon pitting cherries for the homemade jam.

    Example

    The industrial machine can pit thousands of olives per hour with minimal damage to the fruit's flesh.
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