Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estage abode, story of a building, state, from Vulgar Latin *staticum, from Latin stare to stand — more at stand
Date: 14th century
1 a: one of a series of positions or stations one above the other :stepb: the height of the surface of a river above an arbitrary zero point <flood stage> 2 a (1): a raised platform (2): the part of a theater on which the acting takes place and which often includes the wings (3): the acting profession : the theater as an occupation or activity (4):soundstageb: a center of attention or scene of action 3 a: a scaffold for workmen b: the small platform of a microscope on which an object is placed for examination 4 a: a place of rest formerly provided for those traveling by stagecoach :stationb: the distance between two stopping places on a road c:stagecoach 5 a: a period or step in a process, activity, or development: as (1): one of the distinguishable periods of growth and development of a plant or animal <the larval stage of an insect>(2): a period or phase in the course of a disease; also: the degree of involvement or severity of a disease b: one passing through a (specified) stage 6: an element or part of an electronic device (as an amplifier) 7: one of two or more sections of a rocket that have their own fuel and engine