The circular groove at the center of a vinyl record, into which the needle enters after playing a record side. Typically the stop groove contains no recorded music, and exists only to provide a repository for the needle after playing is complete. Usually there is an audible click on every revolution of the record as the needle passes the point where the larger helical groove enters the stop groove.
I returned later to hear the clicking of the needle in the stop groove, and realized that I had forgotten to turn the turntable off.
by TwinCityBoy January 12, 2020