stave

1 of 2

noun

ˈstāv 

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

2 of 2

verb

staved or stove ˈstōv  ; staving

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

Examples of stave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The new release was spent 10 years in barrels made from staves that were air dried for a total of 13 months, which the distillery says is more than twice the standard amount of time and is supposed to allow the whiskey to draw deeper flavors from the wood. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 May 2026

The series is also an homage to Penelope’s existing Architect expression, which finishes bourbon with French oak staves. —David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Verb

Henkel and Standage staved it off twice before Cal came out on top, 18-16. —Daily News, 1 May 2026

Other variables in the collection included entry proof, char level, stave seasoning, and warehouse style. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, back-formation from staves, plural of staf staff

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

circa 1595, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing stave

• stave in
• stave off

Rhymes for stave

• brave
• cave
• clave
• crave
• fave
• gave
• grave
• knave
• lave
• nave
• pave
• rave

Kids Definition

stave

1 of 2 noun

ˈstāv 

1

: a wooden stick

2

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

3

: stanza

4

: staff entry 1 sense 3

stave

2 of 2 verb

staved or stove ˈstōv  ; staving

1

: to break in the staves of (a cask)

2

: to smash a hole in

stave in a boat