pit

A deep hole in the ground, often made by digging.

• They dug a deep pit.
• The dog fell into the pit.
• Several pits were covered with wooden boards.

Similar words: hole

Common phrases: a deep pit, dig a pit, a sand pit, fall into a pit

The hard seed at the centre of a fruit such as a peach or cherry.

• Remove the peach pit.
• She planted an avocado pit in a pot.
• Be careful of the pits in these cherries.

Similar words: stone

Common phrases: a peach pit, an avocado pit, remove the pit, a cherry pit

A hospital’s emergency department, as staff sometimes call it.

• I’m working in the pit tonight.
• The ambulance brought another patient to the pit.
• After twelve hours in the pit, the nurse went home.

Similar words: emergency department, emergency room

Common phrases: in the pit, work the pit, a busy pit

To make people, groups, or abilities compete or fight against each other.

• The race pits two brothers against each other.
• She pitted her wits against the puzzle.
• The dispute has pitted workers against management.

How to use it: pit someone/something against someone/something (The contest pits young players against experienced professionals.)

Similar words: set against, match against

Common phrases: pit someone against someone, pit your wits, pit something against something

To make small holes or hollow marks in a surface.

• Rust can pit the metal.
• Acid had pitted the stone steps.
• The old pipe was badly pitted.

Common phrases: pit the surface, pit the metal, pit someone’s skin

To remove the hard seed from a fruit.

• Pit the cherries first.
• She pitted the olives for the salad.
• Have you pitted all the peaches?

Similar words: stone

Common phrases: pit the cherries, pit an olive, pit a peach