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

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

stan-ˈzā-ik 

adjective

Examples of stanza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An anthology of first memories, a meditation on decomposition, spinning constellations—every stanza grapples with change on a private or galactic scale. —Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025

With the season’s opening stanza in the books, here’s a look at what’s been learned about the Broncos so far, what questions remain unanswered and what’s ahead. —Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025

As the final seconds bled away in the opening stanza, Wood dropped back to pass. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025

The Warriors entered the period trailing by 19 and scored 51 points in the final stanza to win. —Nick Friedell, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

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