Definition of stay
1
: a large strong rope usually of wire used to support a mast
2
: 2guy
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Origin and Etymology of stay
Middle English, from Old English stæg; akin to Old Norse stag stay
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: before 12th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearFirst Known Use of stay
1627
Definition of stay
stayed
play
\ˈstād\
also staid
play
\ˈstād\;
staying
1
: to stop going forward : pause
2
: to stop doing something : cease
3
: to continue in a place or condition : remain
- stayed up all night
- went for a short vacation but stayed on for weeks
- stay put till I come back
4
: to stand firm
5
: to take up residence : lodge
6
: to keep even in a contest or rivalry
- stay with the leaders
7
: to call a poker bet without raising
8
obsolete
: to be in waiting or attendance
1
: to wait for : await
2
: to stick or remain with (a race, a trial of endurance, etc.) to the end
—usually used in the phrase stay the course
3
: to remain during
- stayed the whole time
Origin and Etymology of stay
Middle English, from Anglo-French estei-, estai-, stem of ester to stand, stay, from Latin stare — more at stand
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 15th century
in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
See Words from the same yearSynonym Discussion of stay
defer, postpone, suspend, stay mean to delay an action or proceeding. defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.
-
- deferred buying a car until spring
-
- the game is postponed until Saturday
-
- business will be suspended while repairs are underway
-
- the governor stayed the execution
Definition of stay
1 a
: the action of halting : the state of being stopped
b
: a stopping or suspension of procedure or execution by judicial or executive order
3
: a residence or sojourn in a place
4
: capacity for endurance
First Known Use of stay
1536
Definition of stay
stayed;
staying;
stays
1
: to provide physical or moral support for : sustain
2
: to fix on something as a foundation
First Known Use of stay
1548
STAY Defined for Kids
Definition of stay for Students
stayed;
staying
1
: to remain after others have gone
- She stayed after the party to help.
2
: to continue unchanged
- We stayed friends for many years.
3
: to stop going forward : pause
- He instructed the dog to stay.
4
: to live for a while
- I'm staying with friends.
- We will stay at the shore for the summer.
5
: to put a stop to : halt
- The governor stayed the execution.
Definition of stay for Students
1
: a period of living in a place
- Our stay in the country was too short.
2
: the action of bringing to a stop : the state of being stopped
- a stay of the execution
Definition of stay for Students
: a strong rope or wire used to steady or brace something (as a mast)
Law Dictionary
legal Definition of stay
stayed;
staying
: to temporarily suspend or prevent by judicial or executive order
- may not grant an injunction to stay proceedings in a State court
- —U.S. Code
legal Definition of stay
: a temporary suspension or injunction of an action or process by a usually discretionary judicial or executive order
- a stay of execution of the judgment
- stay of a lower court's judgment pending certiorari
- —W. J. Brennan, Jr.
Learn More about stay
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See words that rhyme with stay Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stay Spanish Central: Translation of stay Nglish: Translation of stay for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stay for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stay
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