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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Kings’ largest lead was 22 points late in the third quarter before the Lakers closed the stanza on a 15-5 run. Joe Reedy, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 So, of course … Colton’s Thursday — D … after scoring a one-timer at Utah in the first period, Colton left a 5-1 win in Salt Lake City midway through the second stanza with an apparent hand injury. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2024 The latter delivers a particularly blistering stanza, as the Brooklyn rep compares his watch faces to Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s complexions. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 25 Oct. 2024 This episode’s pertinent stanza: Seekest thou the road to all that’s foul and fair, Gather sisters’ fire: water, earth, and air. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stanza 

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 6 Dec. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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