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

Breslin died in 2006, according to previous Bee reporting, and her family took over the restaurant in her stead. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 14 Mar. 2026

After Carvalho famously reneged on his commitment to leave Miami-Dade schools for New York’s in 2018, Carranza was hired in Carvalho’s stead. —Jake Shore, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

In their stead, bring a small selection of more affordable, fun accessories — like these chunky gold teardrop earrings and turquoise studs, or this simple, elegant choker necklace set. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026

Arvid Söderblom had 16 saves in Knight’s stead. —Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 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