stanza

noun

stan·za | \ ˈstan-zə

Definition of stanza

1 : a division of a poem consisting of a series of lines arranged together in a usually recurring pattern of meter and rhyme : strophe

2 sports : a period (such as a half or an inning) into which the duration of a game is divided The game's prime moment wasn't the decisive and popular eighth-inning, two-run homer by Mark Bellhorn … but a sensational play by Boston's Manny Ramirez in the top of that same stanza.— Roger Angell

Other Words from stanza More Example Sentences Phrases Containing stanza Learn More About stanza

Examples of stanza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Black Pearl, as he was known, had come to the N.A.S.L. to celebrate a last stanza of his career — and as an ambassador to spark the game in North America. — Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 5 May 2022 The opening stanza puts him out on a lonely highway, a scenario that accentuates his life as a traveling musician. — Tom Roland, Billboard, 3 May 2022 Thomas Hardy ended a mediocre poem about naval gunfire in the English Channel with a stanza that suddenly goes into overdrive. — Richard Brookhiser, National Review, 31 Mar. 2022 The Bulldogs quickly followed with a mid-range jumper by McMillan and a triple by Damarion Hughes and led by 17 going into the final stanza. — Shelby Dermer, The Enquirer, 11 Mar. 2022 All but one of his rebounds came in the second half, as Auburn struggled to grab offensive boards in the first half and Vanderbilt shot a blistering 52.2 percent in the opening stanza. — Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 16 Feb. 2022 Michigan fell behind by four points going into the fourth quarter, but freshman Laila Phelia took command with 13 points in the final stanza. — Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2022 The second extra stanza was tight for all five minutes with neither team leading by more than two points. — Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 6 Feb. 2022 While the story takes a bit to get going, the film boasts an effectively gritty atmosphere throughout and action-film fans will appreciate Brody going full John Wick in an extremely violent closing stanza. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2022 See More

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