Pit: meaning, definitions and examples

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pit

[pɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

dark place

A pit is a deep hole in the ground, typically used for extraction of minerals or as a trap for animals. It can also refer to a hole or cavity in a surface.

Synonyms

cavity, hole, shaft.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pit	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
hole	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
cavity	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
shaft	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

Examples of usage

The miners dug a deep pit to extract coal.
The pit was covered with leaves as a trap for unsuspecting prey.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

seed

In botanical terms, a pit refers to the hard seed or stone of a fruit, such as a cherry or peach.

Synonyms

kernel, seed, stone.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pit	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.
seed	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.
stone	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.
kernel	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.

Examples of usage

She carefully removed the pits from the cherries before baking the pie.
The peach pit contained a single seed.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

stomach

Informally, 'pit' can be used to refer to the stomach, especially in the context of nervousness or fear.

Synonyms

belly, stomach, tummy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pit	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
stomach	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
belly	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
tummy	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

Examples of usage

She had butterflies in her pit before the big presentation.
His pit growled with hunger.

^{Context #4 | Verb}

opposite

As a verb, 'pit' means to set in competition or conflict against. It can also refer to create a hollow or indentation in a surface.

Synonyms

challenge, compare, oppose.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pit	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.
oppose	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.
compare	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.
challenge	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.

Examples of usage

The two teams will pit against each other in the final match.
She pitted the cherries before baking the pie.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Old English 'pytt', which meant a hollow or depression.
Originally, 'pit' referred to natural cavities created by erosion or human digging.
In Middle English, the term expanded to include places where animals were trapped.

Science

In geology, pits can result from volcanic activity, where magma creates depressions in the Earth's surface.
Pits are also significant in archaeology, often revealing artifacts from past civilizations when excavated.
In botany, the term refers to the hard seed inside fruit like peaches or cherries, commonly known as the 'stone'.

Cultural References

The phrase 'a pit in my stomach' describes the uncomfortable feeling of anxiety or fear, often evoking a physical sensation.
Pit fighting is an underground sport, often portrayed in movies, where combat takes place in a confined area.
Several cultures have mythological references to pits as symbols of danger or portals to the underworld.

Sports

In baseball, a 'pit' can informally refer to a dugout area or bullpen where players wait.
Soccer teams often use 'pit' to describe the designated area on the field, especially during team huddles or timeouts.
In motorsports, a 'pit' is crucial for quick car inspections and tire changes, essential in gaining competitive advantage.

Literature

Pits often symbolize hardship in literature, representing places of despair or challenge that protagonists must overcome.
In classic literature, such as 'The Pit and the Pendulum' by Poe, the pit represents a dire situation one must navigate.
Children's stories sometimes use pits to illustrate moral lessons, like the perils of straying off the path.

Translations

Translations of the word "pit" in other languages:

🇵🇹 poço

🇮🇳 कुआँ

🇩🇪 Grube

🇮🇩 lubang

🇺🇦 яма

🇵🇱 dół

🇯🇵 穴 (ana)

🇫🇷 fosse

🇪🇸 pozo

🇹🇷 çukur

🇰🇷 구덩이

🇸🇦 حفرة

🇨🇿 jáma

🇸🇰 jama

🇨🇳 坑 (kēng)

🇸🇮 jama

🇮🇸 gryfja

🇰🇿 шұңқыр

🇬🇪 ორმო

🇦🇿 çuxur

🇲🇽 pozo

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,744, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

...
4741 washing
4742 immigration
4743 calculate
4744 pit
4745 drying
4746 imply
4747 wake
...