stanza

noun

stan·​za ˈstan-zə How to pronounce stanza (audio)
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
stanzaic adjective

Examples of stanza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The only points in the third quarter came when Nathan Houck sacked Westview quarterback Mason Walsh in the end zone for a safety with 2:00 left in the stanza to up the Spartans lead to 8-0. Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Nov. 2023 The Rockets rebounded from a late deficit, outscoring the Titans 14-0 in the last stanza for the victory. Ledeai, The Courier-Journal, 19 Aug. 2023 But everything changed in the third stanza as the Raiders were able to make five 3-pointers to take a 4-point lead into the final period. Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 4 Mar. 2023 Colvin scored the last five points of the quarter on another jumper and 3-pointer to give Aliceville a slim 36-35 lead ahead of the final stanza. Evan Dudley, al, 3 Mar. 2023 The entire eight-line stanza dodges root-chord finality, though, until the last line, wrapping itself in the situation’s inherent frustration. Tom Roland, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2023 The second half was not any more kind to the Blazers and, outside of a fumble recovery that eventually led to a Zeno interception, Georgia Southern scored on every drive in the final two stanzas. Evan Dudley, al, 9 Sep. 2023 The Storm rebounded from a late deficit, outscoring the Tigers 14-0 in the last stanza for the victory. Ledeai, The Courier-Journal, 19 Aug. 2023 Session player Jedd Hughes invented a staccato counterpoint riff, and the band built up gradually with each new stanza, primarily from drummer Chad Cromwell’s ascending intensity: After two verses, the kick drum joins subtly at the chorus, and the full kit is employed by verse three. Tom Roland, Billboard, 1 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stanza.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of stanza was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near stanza

Cite this Entry

“Stanza.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stanza. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

stanza

noun
stan·​za ˈstan-zə How to pronounce stanza (audio)
: a division of a poem consisting of a series of lines arranged together in a usually repeating pattern of rhythm and rhyme
stanzaic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on stanza

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