stanza

noun

stan·​za ˈstan-zə 

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

… held a 10-point lead in the final stanza.

—Vincent Frank

stanzaic

stan-ˈzā-ik 

adjective

Examples of stanza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just 16 seconds into the ensuing stanza, Michigan commit Dylan Franzen caught a pass from Kavey in transition, and buried a shot as Tabor pushed its lead to 5-2. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 May 2026

The teams traded set-piece goals from Brandon Hines-Ike and Morris Duggan in the first half and crosses-to-back-post finishes in the second stanza. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026

With 3 minutes left in the second stanza, Nathan MacKinnon offered up a 2026 Nikola Jokic moment — an uncharacteristic mistake — of his own. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 May 2026

Sadly, however, Kipling has been widely misunderstood by those who quote only the 14 words of the opening stanza and overlook his optimism about overcoming cultural communication barriers. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, stay, abode, room, stanza, from Vulgar Latin *stantia stay — more at stance

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stanza

• ballad stanza
• heroic stanza
• Rubaiyat stanza
• Spenserian stanza

Rhymes for stanza

• bonanza
• extravaganza

Kids Definition

stanza

noun

stan·​za ˈstan-zə 

: a division of a poem consisting of a series of lines arranged together in a usually repeating pattern of rhythm and rhyme

stanzaic

stan-ˈzā-ik 

adjective