Stop and give way

The stop sign, a red octagon with the word STOP, means you must stop at the white stop line, even if the road looks clear, and give way to traffic on the major road before you go on (Highway Code rule 171). It is a sign giving orders, so you must obey it.

Official Highway Code caption: “Stop and give way.”

Listed under “Signs giving orders” in The Highway Code: traffic signs (GOV.UK). For every sign in more detail, see the Department for Transport’s Know your traffic signs.