stead

1 of 2

noun

ˈsted 

1

: the office, place, or function ordinarily occupied or carried out by someone or something else

acted in his brother's stead

2

: advantage

—used chiefly in the phrase to stand one in good stead

Their language skills will stand them in good stead when they travel.

3

obsolete : locality, place

stead

2 of 2

verb

steaded; steading; steads

transitive verb

: to be of avail to : help

Synonyms of stead

Noun

• advantage
• edge

Examples of stead in a Sentence

Noun

a summer internship will stand you in good stead when applying to college

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Serving in his stead is Hildy Kuryk, a comms expert who spent four years at Vogue as its executive director of communications following a career in politics. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026

Being a willing pair of hands led Owen to a small village in the middle of Wales, working on a senior graduation project, and that on-the-ground, very-on-location work has stood her in good stead since. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2026

Verb

When asked who will play in Evans’ stead in case Evans can’t go, Canales declined to specify. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stede, from Old English; akin to Old High German stat place, Old English standan to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stead

• in someone's/something's stead
• stand someone/something in good stead

Rhymes for stead

• bed
• bled
• bread
• bred
• dead
• dread
• ed
• fed
• fled
• ged
• head
• lead

Kids Definition

stead

noun

ˈsted

1

: advantage sense 3, service

their knowledge of French stood them in good stead

2

: the place usually taken or duty carried out by the one mentioned

acted in the mayor's stead