pit meaning and definition

PIT noun

Definition of pit (noun)

1. a sizeable hole (usually in the ground)
   • "they dug a pit to bury the body"
   • synonyms: cavity
2. a concavity in a surface (especially an anatomical depression)
   • synonyms: fossa
3. the hard inner (usually woody) layer of the pericarp of some fruits (as peaches or plums or cherries or olives) that contains the seed
   • "you should remove the stones from prunes before cooking"
   • synonyms: endocarp, stone
4. (Christianity) the abode of Satan and the forces of evil; where sinners suffer eternal punishment
   • "Hurl'd headlong...To bottomless perdition, there to dwell"- John Milton; "a demon from the depths of the pit"; "Hell is paved with good intentions"-Dr. Johnson
   • synonyms: Hell, infernal region, Inferno, nether region, perdition
   • antonym: Heaven
5. an enclosure in which animals are made to fight
6. (commodity exchange) the part of the floor of a commodity exchange where trading in a particular commodity is carried on
7. (auto racing) an area at the side of a racetrack where the race cars are serviced and refueled
8. a trap in the form of a concealed hole
   • synonyms: pitfall
9. a surface excavation for extracting stone or slate
   • "a British term for `quarry' is `stone pit'"
   • synonyms: quarry, stone pit
10. lowered area in front of a stage where an orchestra accompanies the performers
    • synonyms: orchestra pit
11. a workplace consisting of a coal mine plus all the buildings and equipment connected with it
    • synonyms: colliery

PIT verb

Definition of pit (verb)

1. set into opposition or rivalry
   • "let them match their best athletes against ours"; "pit a chess player against the Russian champion"; "He plays his two children off against each other"
   • synonyms: match, oppose, play off
2. mark with a scar
   • "The skin disease scarred his face permanently"
   • synonyms: mark, pock, scar
3. remove the pits from
   • "pit plums and cherries"
   • synonyms: stone