stanza

noun

stan·​za ˈstan-zə 

1

: a division of a poem consisting of a series of lines arranged together in a usually recurring pattern of meter and rhyme : strophe

2

sports : a period (such as a half or an inning) into which the duration of a game is divided

… held a 10-point lead in the final stanza.

—Vincent Frank

stanzaic

stan-ˈzā-ik 

adjective

Examples of stanza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As Colorado led 2-1 with 35 seconds remaining in the second stanza, MacKinnon chased down a loose puck in Vancouver's zone and gently tipped it in the direction of Landeskog, who suddenly zipped past Nasty Nate's right shoulder. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 3 Dec. 2025

Beck Spivey booted a 26-yard field goal less than a minute into the second stanza to get Richland on the scoreboard. —Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Nov. 2025

However, over the course of four stanzas, something ceremonial and vitally intimate transpires. —Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025

But Central responded early in the second stanza, as Firomsa Aman scored to cut the Minutemen’s deficit in half. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, stay, abode, room, stanza, from Vulgar Latin *stantia stay — more at stance

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stanza

• ballad stanza
• heroic stanza
• Rubaiyat stanza
• Spenserian stanza

Rhymes for stanza

• bonanza
• extravaganza

Kids Definition

stanza

noun

stan·​za ˈstan-zə 

: a division of a poem consisting of a series of lines arranged together in a usually repeating pattern of rhythm and rhyme

stanzaic

stan-ˈzā-ik 

adjective