Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus
1

sty

noun \ ˈstī \

Definition of sty

plural sties also styes
: pigpen

Origin and Etymology of sty

Middle English, from Old English stig pen; pigpen; akin to Old Norse svīnsti pigpen

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

2

sty

verb

Definition of sty

stied or styed; stying
transitive verb
: to lodge or keep in a sty
intransitive verb
: to live in a sty

First Known Use of sty

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler
3

sty

noun \ ˈstī \
variants: or stye

Definition of sty

plural sties or styes
: an inflamed swelling of a sebaceous gland at the margin of an eyelid

Origin and Etymology of sty

short for obsolete English styan, from Middle English styanye eye with a sty, from Old English stīgend sty, from stīgan to go up, rise — more at stair

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

STY Defined for Kids

1

sty

noun \ ˈstī \

Definition of sty for Students

plural sties
: pigpen
2

sty

noun
variants: or stye \ˈstī\

Definition of sty for Students

plural sties or styes
: a painful red swelling on the edge of an eyelid

Medical Dictionary

sty

noun
variants: or stye play \ˈstī\

medical Definition of sty

plural sties or styes
: an inflamed swelling of a sebaceous gland at the margin of an eyelid — called also hordeolum

Learn More about sty

  1. See words that rhyme with sty Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sty Spanish Central: Translation of sty Nglish: Translation of sty for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sty

Seen and Heard

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

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

thwart

play

to oppose successfully

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

sty

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

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