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

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

If Pimblett gets past the second stanza, the betting pick is a Pimblett submission win at UFC 324. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Once the final stanza got underway, the Cardinals kept the pedal to the metal. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026

The Mountaineers, who rolled 47-32 the final half en route to an 86-75 victory, held Peterson to seven points the final stanza on 1-of-6 shooting. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 11 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