stole

1 of 2

past tense of steal

stole

2 of 2

noun

1
: a long loose garment : robe
2
: an ecclesiastical vestment consisting of a long usually silk band worn traditionally around the neck by bishops and priests and over the left shoulder by deacons
3
: a long wide scarf or similar covering worn by women usually across the shoulders

Examples of stole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Photo: Getty Images At the start of the carpet, Jenner wore a dramatic black silk stole that wrapped around her opera-gloved arm and trailed behind her on the ground. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 6 May 2025 In the photo, shot by Miles Diggs, pregnant Rihanna walks through the crowd of paparazzi under an umbrella holding a fur stole. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 May 2025 Miss Black America, in a fur stole, advertised sparkling wine; near a clipping of an African sculpture, wig models beamed. Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 5 May 2025 The runners on first and second base stole as Leiter delivered a curveball that missed its spot low and in. Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stole

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin stola, from Greek stolē equipment, robe, from stellein to set up, make ready

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stole was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stole. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

stole

1 of 2
ˈstōl

past of steal

stole

2 of 2 noun
1
: a long narrow band worn around the neck by bishops and priests in ceremonies
2
: a long wide scarf or similar covering worn by women usually across the shoulders

Legal Definition

stole

past of steal

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