stead

1 of 2

noun

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Redshirt junior Maddux Madsen was injured against Fresno State two weeks ago and remains on the sideline, meaning redshirt sophomore Max Cutforth is playing in his stead. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 15 Nov. 2025 Earlier this year, BBC Studios ceased production in India, striking a multi-year deal with Banijay Asia in its stead. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025 Looking to his reputation as a hard-working and brilliant designer, Anderson surely has the ability to blend in with the Dior DNA, juggling its strong heritage and codes, and placing the house in good stead for a revival. Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025 Another approach on two ladders was also aborted, and a drone was sent up in their stead. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stead

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stead. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on stead

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