Pit: meaning, definitions and examples

Used for a large, deep depression in the ground, sometimes associated with mining or a place for storage.

• They dug a pit to store the vegetables for winter
• The miners descended into the pit

A general term for any opening or gap in a surface. This can be used in various everyday situations.

• There is a hole in my sock
• The rabbit jumped into a hole in the ground

Often used in scientific or medical contexts to describe hollow spaces within solid objects or bodies.

• The dentist said I have a cavity in my tooth
• The geologist examined the cavity in the rock formation

Commonly used to describe a long, narrow, vertical passage, often associated with elevators or mines.

• They built a ventilation shaft for the building
• The workers lowered the equipment down the mine shaft

Used when referring to the hard part of certain fruits like peaches or cherries, especially in casual conversations.

• Be careful not to bite the pit.
• She removed the pits from the cherries.

Used most commonly when referring to the reproductive part of a flowering plant that can grow into a new plant. Also used metaphorically to mean the start of something.

• Plant the seeds in the soil.
• Her ideas were the seed of the new project.

Usually used in British English to refer to the hard part inside certain fruits like peaches, plums, or cherries. It is also used to refer to small rocks or minerals.

• She accidentally swallowed a cherry stone.
• The path was covered in small stones.

Commonly used in reference to grains or seeds where the kernel is the softer, usually edible part inside the shell or husk. Also used in computing to refer to the central part of an operating system.

• Corn kernels are delicious when roasted.
• The kernel of the operating system manages memory and processes.

A 'pit' typically refers to a deep hole in the ground, often created by natural forces or excavation. It can also refer to the core or seed of certain fruits.

• Falling into a pit can be very dangerous
• The peach pit is inedible

The word 'stomach' is more formal and anatomically accurate for describing the organ located in the abdomen which is involved in digestion. It often appears in medical or scientific contexts, but can also be used in everyday speech.

• His stomach growled loudly during the meeting
• She went to the doctor because of stomach pain

The term 'belly' is a casual, often informal way to refer to the abdominal area of the body. It can be used in both everyday conversations and descriptive writing.

• After the big meal, his belly was noticeably larger
• She laughed so hard her belly hurt

The term 'tummy' is an affectionate and informal way of referring to the stomach, often used when talking to or about children. It conveys a sense of comfort and tenderness.

• Does your tummy hurt, sweetie? The little boy rubbed his tummy after eating too much candy

Use this word when talking about setting two or more people or things against each other in a competitive or confrontational way.

• The TV show pitted celebrity chefs against each other in a cooking competition.
• He pitted two different software programs to see which one was better.

Use this word when indicating disagreement or resistance to someone or something. It generally has a negative connotation.

• The local community decided to oppose the construction of the new factory.
• He opposed the new policies implemented by the company.

Use this word when examining the similarities and differences between two or more items or people.

• It is important to compare prices before buying a new phone.
• She compared the two books to see which one had better reviews.

Use this word when referring to a call to take part in a contest or to test one's abilities. It can also mean questioning the validity or strength of something.

• She accepted the challenge to run a marathon.
• His research challenged the existing theories.