stag·ger
| \ ˈsta-gər
\
\
staggered; staggering\
ˈsta-g(ə-)riŋ
\
\
Definition of stagger
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a
: to reel from side to side : totter
b
: to move on unsteadily
staggered toward the door
2
: to waver in purpose or action : hesitate
3
: to rock violently
the ship staggered
1
: to cause to doubt or hesitate : perplex
2
: to cause to reel or totter
3
: to arrange in any of various zigzags, alternations, or overlappings of position or time
stagger work shifts stagger teeth on a cutter
stagger
nounDefinition of stagger (Entry 2 of 3)
1
staggers plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: an abnormal condition of domestic animals associated with damage to the central nervous system and marked by incoordination and a reeling unsteady gait
2
: a reeling or unsteady gait or stance
3
: an arrangement in which the leading edge of the upper wing of a biplane is advanced over that of the lower
stagger
adjectiveDefinition of stagger (Entry 3 of 3)
: marked by an alternating or overlapping pattern
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Other Words from stagger
Verb
staggerer
\
ˈsta-gər-ər
\
noun
\
noun
Examples of stagger in a Sentence
Verb
She staggered over to the sofa.
A hard slap on the back staggered him.
It staggers me to see how much money they've spent on this project.
They staggered the runners' starting positions.
Noun
He walked with a slight stagger.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Adding a guy like Walker to stagger rotations would keep the offense clicking at all times.
—
Nick Crain, Forbes, 5 July 2021
June bugs are clumsy drunks that run into your face, buzz a loud SORRY DUDE, stagger off, and either end up in your hair or down your shirt.
—
Star Tribune, 11 June 2021
For example, with warm weather coming, consider holding a work function outdoors, or stagger the schedule of those working in the office.
—
NBC News, 14 May 2021
The Patriots also will have to limit the number of players inside Gillette Stadium at one time and will stagger the players’ workouts.
—
BostonGlobe.com, 9 Apr. 2021
Jo-ann Olsovsky, who leads Salesforce.com’s internal IT department, has helped develop apps that enable employers to stagger work shifts and provide staff with daily health checks before entering a building, among other measures.
—
Sara Castellanos, WSJ, 7 May 2021
Cosmic Nature in order to stagger visitors' arrivals and promote social distancing.
—
Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2021
Iran continues to stagger under U.S.-imposed economic sanctions and has breached the agreement by stepping up enrichment of uranium, and amassing stockpiles, which in sufficient quantity can be used to build nuclear bombs.
—
Tracy Wilkinson Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2021
The prototype seemed to stagger under its 110-ton weight, despite a trio of engines—each producing half a million pounds of thrust—propelling it through the air.
—
Joe Pappalardo, Science, 10 Dec. 2020
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Visits must be reserved online so that park management can manage attendance and stagger arrival times.
—
From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2021
Tickets are available for 2–3-hour sessions to limit capacity and stagger attendance.
—
oregonlive, 28 Apr. 2021
Some places have had to remove desks, stagger scheduling and take other steps to keep children apart.
—
Mike Stobbe, chicagotribune.com, 19 Mar. 2021
Some places have had to remove desks, stagger scheduling and take other steps to keep children apart.
—
Mike Stobbe, Chron, 19 Mar. 2021
Some places have had to remove desks, stagger scheduling and take other steps to keep children apart.
—
Erin Alberty, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Mar. 2021
Brewers fans will have to wait a day to see Jackie Bradley Jr. in the outfied, and Keston Hiura batting second enables a L-R stagger throughout against Minnesota RHP Kenta Maeda.
—
Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2021
After Withers converted one of two free throws with 18.8 seconds left, the Retrievers ran a stagger set that freed junior shooting guard L.J. Owens for a 3-point attempt from the top of the key.
—
Edward Lee, baltimoresun.com, 6 Mar. 2021
Stay six feet apart, stagger lunches and breaks, use Clorox wipes for stations.
—
New York Times, 18 Feb. 2021
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Schools across the country had to remove desks and stagger schedules in order to meet that standard.
—
From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2021
The state also recommends businesses stagger workers’ schedules.
—
Fortune, 8 June 2020
Schools across the nation are planning deep cleans as students stagger schedules to return to instruction.
—
John Bacon, USA TODAY, 3 June 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stagger.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Statistics for stagger
Last Updated
12 Jul 2021
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Stagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagger. Accessed 30 Jul. 2021.
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More Definitions for stagger
stagger
verb
English Language Learners Definition of stagger
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to move or cause (someone) to move unsteadily from side to side
: to shock or surprise (someone) very much
: to arrange (things) in a series of different positions or times
stagger
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of stagger (Entry 2 of 2)
: an unsteady movement while walking or standing
See the full definition for stagger in the English Language Learners Dictionary
stagger
verb
stag·ger
| \ ˈsta-gər
\
\
staggered; staggering
Kids Definition of stagger
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to move or cause to move unsteadily from side to side as if about to fall : reel
He staggered under the load's weight.
2
: to cause or feel great surprise or shock
The news staggered me.
3
: to arrange or be arranged in a zigzag but balanced way
She stared at the dark brown and purple ridges staggered in the distance …— Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising
stagger
nounKids Definition of stagger (Entry 2 of 2)
: a reeling or unsteady walk
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Time Traveler for stagger
The first known use of stagger was in the 15th century
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