1
: any of the narrow strips of wood or narrow iron plates placed edge to edge to form the sides, covering, or lining of a vessel (such as a barrel) or structure
4
staved or stove
ˈstōv 
; staving
; staving
1
: to smash a hole in
stove in the boat
also
: to crush or break inward
staved in several ribs
2
: to break in the staves of (a cask)
3
: to drive or thrust away
1
: to walk or move rapidly
2
archaic
: to become stove in
—used of a boat or ship
Examples of stave in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 12 June 2024
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength The past few years have seen some notable additions to the Maker’s Mark lineup, including various wood stave finishes and the phenomenal Cellar Aged, which is the oldest bourbon to date released by the distillery.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 May 2024
Samuel Petrequin, Twin Cities, 9 June 2024
There will be several eight-foot, double-decker iron chandeliers with hop design above the lounge area, plus barrel stave double-tiered iron and copper bottomed installed upstairs.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for stave 
Noun
The 2024 expression, the Heart Release, was finished with two different kinds of staves that were cooked in different ways.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 12 June 2024
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength The past few years have seen some notable additions to the Maker’s Mark lineup, including various wood stave finishes and the phenomenal Cellar Aged, which is the oldest bourbon to date released by the distillery.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 May 2024
Verb
To stave that off, von der Leyen offered to build a coalition with the Social Democrats and the pro-business Liberals.
—Samuel Petrequin, Twin Cities, 9 June 2024
There will be several eight-foot, double-decker iron chandeliers with hop design above the lounge area, plus barrel stave double-tiered iron and copper bottomed installed upstairs.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for stave
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near stave
Cite this Entry
“Stave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stave. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stave
1 of 2 noun1
: a wooden stick
2
: one of the narrow strips of wood or iron plates placed edge to edge to form the sides, covering, or lining of a vessel (as a barrel or cask) or structure
3
: stanza
stave
2 of 2 verb
staved or stove
ˈstōv
; staving
; staving
1
: to break in the staves of (a cask)
2
: to smash a hole in
stave in a boat
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