Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

stoa

noun
\ ˈstō-ə How to pronounce stoa (audio) \

Definition of stoa

: an ancient Greek portico usually walled at the back with a front colonnade designed to afford a sheltered promenade

First Known Use of stoa

1603, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for stoa

Greek; akin to Greek stylos pillar — more at steer

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about stoa

Dictionary Entries near stoa

stnd

sto

STO

stoa

stoach

stoat

stoating

Statistics for stoa

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for stoa

The first known use of stoa was in 1603

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on stoa

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with stoa

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stoa

Comments on stoa

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

parabolic

Listen to the pronounciation of parabolic

of or relating to a parable or parabola

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

A Green Quiz

  • shamrock
  • What is the best definition of green-eyed monster?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games