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

Council, who had 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting in 34 minutes (six points the second half), indeed fired a cross-court pass high over a teammate’s head out of bounds in the second stanza. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026

The Panthers star caught fire at the tail end of the stanza, sinking eight points during the final two minutes as Whitman-Hanson broke things open at 40-24 entering the fourth. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026

Chinyelu’s elite defense from the center spot and Florida’s ability to create defensive havoc swung the game, with Florida extending the lead via a 12-0 run to start the second stanza. —Jim Root, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026

The Gophers called off the dogs in the final period, with the hosts recording the lone score of the stanza to avoid being shutout at home. —Tom Carothers, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 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