stag

noun

\ ˈstag

How to pronounce stag (audio)

\

plural stags

Definition of stag

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 or plural stag : an adult male red deer also : the male of various other deer (especially genus Cervus)

2 chiefly Scotland : a young horse especially : a young unbroken stallion

3 : a male animal castrated after sexual maturity — compare steer sense 1

4 : a young adult male domestic chicken or turkey

5a : a social gathering of men only

b : one who attends a dance or party without a companion

stag

verb

stagged; stagging

Definition of stag (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

British

: to spy on

intransitive verb

: to attend a dance or party without a companion

stag

adjective

Definition of stag (Entry 3 of 3)

1a : restricted to men a stag party

b : intended for a male audience especially : pornographic stag movies

2 : unaccompanied by someone of the opposite sex stag women

Other Words from stag Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about stag

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Examples of stag in a Sentence

Adjective a stash of stag flicks that were hidden in the basement

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun To play up the theme, there were large firepit caldrons surrounding the event tent, a topiary in the shape of a stag, and decor that incorporated wildflowers, shed antlers, birchwood, pheasant feathers, and plaid textiles. — Carrie Goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Couple Went All Out for Their “ Montana-Meets-Gatsby-Meets-Versailles ” Wedding at Home," 13 Apr. 2021 It was made of water, but not helpfully, a stag walked inside. — Katie Peterson, The New York Review of Books, "a poem," 20 Aug. 2020 While Philip and Diana probably didn't ever team up to track down a rare stag on the grounds of Balmoral Castle, by all accounts, Princess Di did share a close bond with her father-in-law from the very beginning. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Fact-Checking Prince Philip's Portrayal on 'The Crown'," 18 Nov. 2020 While the family chases the stag and awaits the prime minister’s first visit to Balmoral, Prince Charles has begun to court Diana by taking her to a Verdi opera in London. — Lauren Morgan, EW.com, "The Crown binge recap: Welcome to the Diana Years! (Episodes 1-4)," 18 Nov. 2020 When Artemis transformed Actaeon into a stag, he was ravaged by dozens of hunting hounds, whose names survive today (and, in fact, can be found on Wikipedia). — Ashley Stimpson, Longreads, "Shades of Grey," 31 Oct. 2020 The pubs in Newcastle and Gateshead are full of stag and hen parties—or bachelor and bachelorette parties, as they’re known over here. — Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, "Roddy Doyle on Writing from the Pandemic," 12 Oct. 2020 Legend has it that in 1128, David I of Scotland had a vision of a stag with a cross between its antlers, and was inspired to build an Augustinian monastery in the same place. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Queen Elizabeth's Royal Residence in Scotland, Has an Impressive History," 20 June 2020 Cross also told The Tennessean that Bryan, 43, would have needed to bring the animal to his farm as red stags are a species of deer native to Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asian Minor, Iran and parts of Western and Central Asia. — Robyn Merrett, PEOPLE.com, "Police Investigating After Luke Bryan's Red Stag Deer Found Shot Dead on His Tennessee Farm," 10 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective After a wild stag party in Las Vegas, three hazy groomsmen must find their missing friend and get him back to Los Angeles in time for his wedding. — Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week: ‘An American in Paris’; ‘Ben-Hur’," 26 Mar. 2021 After a wild stag party in Las Vegas, three hazy groomsmen must find their missing friend and get him back to Los Angeles in time for his wedding. — Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week: ‘An American in Paris’; ‘Ben-Hur’," 26 Mar. 2021 After a wild stag party in Las Vegas, three hazy groomsmen must find their missing friend and get him back to Los Angeles in time for his wedding. — Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week: ‘Gandhi’; ‘Forrest Gump’ and more," 26 Feb. 2021 Nothing much to do, Christmas shopping, wrapping, mailing all out of the way, all the pictures and stuff turned in for the Sunday paper; tomorrow may day off and tonight a stag party at the Press Club. — Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, "‘Miracle on 34th St.’ was an instant holiday classic in 1947," 20 Dec. 2020 Better to use a banana peel to grow stag horn ferns. — Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "It’s the winter of COVID-19 — what better time to experiment with alternative ways to germinate plants?," 26 Nov. 2020 This is the only road to travel to truly experience the Stags Leap District for one thing, named for the jagged rock formations once familiar to stag hunters. — SFChronicle.com, "Silverado Trail: Napa Valley’s road less traveled," 8 Jan. 2019 Throughout Asia, various species are beloved and kept as pets, such as rhinoceros and stag beetles. — Douglas Main, National Geographic, "'Murder hornet' mania highlights dangers of fearing insects and spiders," 3 Aug. 2020 The treehouse is made from chestnut, with hazel, stag horn oak and larch nest cladding. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "Kate Middleton’s Back to Nature Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show Pays Tribute to Princess Diana," 23 May 2019

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

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Dictionary Entries near stag

staff-tree family

stag's-horn sumac

Statistics for stag

Last Updated

21 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Stag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stag. Accessed 22 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for stag

stag

noun

English Language Learners Definition of stag

: an adult male deer

See the full definition for stag in the English Language Learners Dictionary

stag

noun

\ ˈstag

\

Kids Definition of stag

: an adult male deer

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