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 Meanwhile, the Broncos went into the final stanza with 206 yards and two rushing scores on 28 carries. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2024 Last week saw San Francisco blow a 10-point lead in the final stanza. Vincent Frank, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 But a lot of them refer to more obscure songs or stanzas, as if every nearby street or stadium loge section is full of human Easter eggs, begging to be unpacked. Chris Willman, Variety, 31 July 2024 Even free-agent acquisition Isaac Yiadom had a key pass defended on fourth down in the final stanza. Vincent Frank, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stanza 

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 31 Oct. 2024.

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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