stead

[ sted ]
/ stɛd /

noun

the place of a person or thing as occupied by a successor or substitute: The nephew of the queen came in her stead.
Obsolete. a place or locality.

verb (used with object)

to be of service, advantage, or avail to.

Idioms for stead

    stand in good stead, to be useful to, especially in a critical situation: Your experience will stand you in good stead.

Origin of stead

before 900; (noun) Middle English, Old English stede; cognate with German Stätte place; akin to German Stadt, Old Norse stathr, Gothic staths, Greek stásis (see stasis); (v.) Middle English steden, derivative of the noun

Example sentences from the Web for stead

British Dictionary definitions for stead (1 of 2)

stead
/ (stɛd) /

noun

(preceded by in) rare the place, function, or position that should be taken by another to come in someone's stead
stand someone in good stead to be useful or of good service to (someone)

verb

(tr) archaic to help or benefit

Word Origin for stead

Old English stede; related to Old Norse stathr place, Old High German stat place, Latin statiō a standing, statim immediately

British Dictionary definitions for stead (2 of 2)

Stead
/ (stɛd) /

noun

Christina (Ellen). 1902–83, Australian novelist. Her works include Seven Poor Men of Sydney (1934), The Man who Loved Children (1940), and Cotters' England (1966)

Idioms and Phrases with stead

stead

see in someone's shoes (stead); stand in good stead. Also see under instead.