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

3

obsolete : locality, place

stead

2 of 2

verb

steaded; steading; steads

transitive verb

: to be of avail to : help

Synonyms

Noun

• advantage
• better
• bulge
• catbird seat
• drop
• edge
• high ground
• inside track
• jump
• pull
• upper hand
• vantage
• whip hand

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

In Ingram's stead, Jaxson Stauber was called up from Tucson after the November injury. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

In his stead, several young men — all less than half his age — were happy to do the shirt-stripping and -whipping honors. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2025

Justin Fields started under center in the stead of injured quarterback Russell Wilson. —Vincent Frank, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024

After making the playoffs as the worst statistical team to do so in 33 years last season, Washington is perched in second place of the crowded Metropolitan Division and has even gone 10-5-1 in Ovechkin's stead. —David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024

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

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