SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

steading

noun stead·ing \ ˈste-dᵊn , ˈstē- , -diŋ \

Definition of steading

1 : a small farm

2 chiefly Scotland : the service buildings or area of a farm

Origin and Etymology of steading

Middle English steding, from stede place, farm

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Learn More about steading

See words that rhyme with steading

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up steading? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

mollycoddle

play

to treat with excessive attention

Words at Play

All the Hits

8 obscure words for bodily harm

alt-5adf93a49b0b2

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

"In point" only lives in this phrase.

alt-5adf5d017e6bf

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

Watch closely and be amazed.

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

rain-on-rainbow-umbrella

April 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

The rhyming verb edition.

Take the quiz

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game