nonstop
UK: ˌnɒnˈstɒp | US: ˌnɑːnˈstɑːp
adj. continuing without stopping or pausing
adv. without stopping or pausing
n. a flight or journey made without any scheduled stops
The word "nonstop" is a straightforward compound formed by combining the prefix "non-" (from Latin non, meaning "not") with the root "stop" (from Old English stoppian, meaning "to block or halt"). The term emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in transportation contexts (e.g., trains, flights), to describe uninterrupted movement. The logic is transparent: "not stopping" → "continuous." Its usage later expanded metaphorically to describe actions or events without breaks.
The flight from New York to Tokyo was nonstop.
She worked nonstop for 12 hours to meet the deadline.
The band played a nonstop set for three hours.
Nonstop rain caused flooding in the coastal town.
His nonstop talking made it hard to concentrate.