downstage

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

down·​stage ˈdau̇n-ˈstāj 

1

: toward or at the front of a theatrical stage

2

: toward a movie or television camera

downstage

2 of 2

noun

down·​stage ˈdau̇n-ˌstāj 

: the part of a stage that is nearest the audience or camera

Examples of downstage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Unable to visit recording studios during the pandemic, Zinn, who has been attached to the play since 2017, used the documentary as one of his primary sources — technical manuals were another — in designing the sound board that dominates the downstage half of his naturalistic set. —Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, 12 June 2024

Can anyone ever shake us to the core the way Brando did simply by walking downstage eating an apple? —Ty Burr, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

For example, as Mowgli prepared to shoot a bow and arrow, the moments learning how to do so with her mother were projected onto a downstage screen. —Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023

Barely acknowledging the applause and cheers, Shorter stepped to a conga downstage. —Jon Garelick, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for downstage

• assuage
• backstage
• bocage
• engage
• enrage
• leafage
• messuage
• offstage
• onstage
• outrage
• pelage
• prophage

Kids Definition

downstage

adverb or adjective

down·​stage

ˈdau̇n-ˈstāj

: toward or at the part of a theatrical stage or set closest to the audience or the motion-picture or television camera