stead

1 of 2

noun

ˈsted 

1

: the office, place, or function ordinarily occupied or carried out by someone or something else

acted in his brother's stead

2

: advantage

—used chiefly in the phrase to stand one in good stead

Their language skills will stand them in good stead when they travel.

3

obsolete : locality, place

stead

2 of 2

verb

steaded; steading; steads

transitive verb

: to be of avail to : help

Synonyms of stead

Noun

• advantage
• edge

Examples of stead in a Sentence

Noun

a summer internship will stand you in good stead when applying to college

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Replacement Rickie Collins has struggled to force form in his stead, though it must be noted Syracuse’s schedule hasn’t worked in the sophomore’s favor. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

During Sunday’s whacky 6-5 overtime loss to the Sharks, a San Jose power play goal happened when Jake Middleton was in the penalty box and in his stead, Jiricek missed a defensive assignment – a mistake that ended up on the other side of the goal line. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025

Dalton came in and played well in Young’s stead against the Jets. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025

The restaurant’s final location on San Pablo Avenue — which followed its older stead at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive — is a delight. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stede, from Old English; akin to Old High German stat place, Old English standan to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stead

• in someone's/something's stead
• stand someone/something in good stead

Rhymes for stead

• bed
• bled
• bread
• bred
• dead
• dread
• ed
• fed
• fled
• ged
• head
• lead

Kids Definition

stead

noun

ˈsted

1

: advantage sense 3, service

their knowledge of French stood them in good stead

2

: the place usually taken or duty carried out by the one mentioned

acted in the mayor's stead