stave

1 of 2

noun

1
: any of the narrow strips of wood or narrow iron plates placed edge to edge to form the sides, covering, or lining of a vessel (such as a barrel) or structure
2
3
4

stave

2 of 2

verb

staved or stove ˈstōv How to pronounce stave (audio) ; staving

transitive verb

1
: to smash a hole in
stove in the boat
also : to crush or break inward
staved in several ribs
2
: to break in the staves of (a cask)
3
: to drive or thrust away

intransitive verb

1
: to walk or move rapidly
2
archaic : to become stove in
used of a boat or ship

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The latest in Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Discovery Series combines whiskey from four different states and Canada before undergoing a complicated wood stave finish, resulting in something unique and delicious. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 July 2022 Where half a century in wood will leave most whiskies tasting like a brittle oak stave, a few lucky casks manage to avoid that fate. Tony Sachs, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2019 Just seven more days with that stave created a stronger cinnamon tone with a toasty feel to it. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 7 Mar. 2022 Bill was able to narrow down the barrel program to two cooperages in Missouri and Pennsylvania with the Pennsylvania barrels being a mix of four-year, water-bent and thin-stave. Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 4 July 2021 Instead, anchor the stave in the ground over bare soil or rocks. T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2017 Leave enough room on the end of each stave to cut off roughly 6 inches, where the wood might have cracks. Andrew Del-colle, Popular Mechanics, 16 Aug. 2020 With a hatchet or a knife and baton, split the thicker end of the branch with two perpendicular lengthwise cuts down the stave about 10 inches. T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2017 Choose a bow stave that is relatively straight and generally free of knots, side branches, and twists, roughly 2 inches in diameter. Tim Macwelch, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2020
Verb
About 6 million people in the United States and 55 million worldwide have Alzheimer’s disease, but so far scientists have uncovered few medicines that can cure it or even effectively stave it off. Shari Rudavsky, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Sep. 2022 This new data suggests, at least, some biological potential to stave it off for a very long time—if the conditions are right. Wired, 19 July 2022 To stave himself from loneliness, one day Gittins builds Charles, and so begins an utterly charming, if slightly odd, father-son like bond. Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 June 2022 To help stave some of those losses, Netflix has begun experimenting in new areas of business, like advertising and video games — the former of which Hastings was once staunchly opposed to. J. Clara Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 May 2022 Hogan on Monday announced the new rate and challenged his former political ally Comptroller Peter Franchot, a leading Democratic contender to succeed him, to find a way to stave it off. Erin Cox, Washington Post, 26 May 2022 Facing a steady encroachment of corporate buyers, some neighborhoods are fighting to stave them off. New York Times, 23 Apr. 2022 Their latest line taps into the popular DIY apple cider vinegar trend for scalp care, adding the ingredient to a rinse, shampoo, and 2-in-1 conditioner to stave away itch and excess oil. Patrice Grell Yursik, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2021 His masthead-mate, George Packer, followed up with a piece that urged readers to imagine democracy’s unthinkable demise in order to stave it off. Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 11 Dec. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stave.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, back-formation from staves, plural of staf staff

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

circa 1595, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of stave was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near stave

Cite this Entry

“Stave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stave. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Kids Definition

stave

1 of 2 noun
1
: a wooden stick
2
: one of the narrow strips of wood or iron plates placed edge to edge to form the sides, covering, or lining of a vessel (as a barrel or cask) or structure
3
: stanza
4

stave

2 of 2 verb
staved or stove ˈstōv How to pronounce stave (audio) ; staving
1
: to break in the staves of (a cask)
2
: to smash a hole in
stave in a boat
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