stave

noun

\ ˈstāv

Definition of stave

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : any of the narrow strips of wood or narrow iron plates placed edge to edge to form the sides, covering, or lining of a vessel (such as a barrel) or structure

2 : staff entry 1 sense 1

3 : staff entry 1 sense 3

4 : stanza sense 1

stave

verb

staved or stove\ ˈstōv

\; staving

Definition of stave (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to smash a hole in stove in the boat also : to crush or break inward staved in several ribs

2 : to break in the staves of (a cask)

3 : to drive or thrust away

intransitive verb

1 : to walk or move rapidly

2 archaic : to become stove in —used of a boat or ship

More Example Sentences Phrases Containing stave Learn More About stave

Examples of stave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Where half a century in wood will leave most whiskies tasting like a brittle oak stave, a few lucky casks manage to avoid that fate. — Tony Sachs, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2019 Just seven more days with that stave created a stronger cinnamon tone with a toasty feel to it. — Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 7 Mar. 2022 Bill was able to narrow down the barrel program to two cooperages in Missouri and Pennsylvania with the Pennsylvania barrels being a mix of four-year, water-bent and thin-stave. — Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 4 July 2021 Instead, anchor the stave in the ground over bare soil or rocks. — T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2017 Leave enough room on the end of each stave to cut off roughly 6 inches, where the wood might have cracks. — Andrew Del-colle, Popular Mechanics, 16 Aug. 2020 With a hatchet or a knife and baton, split the thicker end of the branch with two perpendicular lengthwise cuts down the stave about 10 inches. — T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2017 Choose a bow stave that is relatively straight and generally free of knots, side branches, and twists, roughly 2 inches in diameter. — Tim Macwelch, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2020 For same day shooting, pick a bow stave that is dead and dry, but not rotten. — Tim Macwelch, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Facing a steady encroachment of corporate buyers, some neighborhoods are fighting to stave them off. — New York Times, 23 Apr. 2022 Their latest line taps into the popular DIY apple cider vinegar trend for scalp care, adding the ingredient to a rinse, shampoo, and 2-in-1 conditioner to stave away itch and excess oil. — Patrice Grell Yursik, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2021 His masthead-mate, George Packer, followed up with a piece that urged readers to imagine democracy’s unthinkable demise in order to stave it off. — Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 11 Dec. 2021 And now to areas trying to stave a Taliban offensive that has taken dozens of districts in recent days in the country’s north. — New York Times, 25 June 2021 Republican governors and elites have a window to stave this off by encouraging adoption and emphasizing privacy-preserving features. — Sarah Kreps, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2020 Some cities, like Miami and Orlando, have enacted curfews and alcohol prohibitions in an effort to stave the rise of new COVID-19 cases, but most establishments are ignoring that rule, possibly to keep the money coming. — Emy Rodriguez Flores, Woman's Day, 12 July 2020 Those officers left to contend with the crowd tried desperately to stave them off with a water hose, as their leadership had ordered them not to fire their weapons on the rioters. — Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2020 For Ginger — named for her sandy coloring and classic looks — the prognosis will never improve, fixes will only stave her inevitable decline. — Rebecca Pacheco, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Feb. 2019 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stave.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.