1
: a division of a poem consisting of a series of lines arranged together in a usually recurring pattern of meter and rhyme : strophe
2
sports
: a period (such as a half or an inning) into which the duration of a game is divided
The game's prime moment wasn't the decisive and popular eighth-inning, two-run homer by Mark Bellhorn … but a sensational play by Boston's Manny Ramirez in the top of that same stanza.—
Roger Angell
Roger AngellExamples of stanza in a Sentence
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The hosts struggled to generate scoring opportunities against the motivated and energetic Jamaicans during the opening stanza, and looked to have fallen behind just before halftime.
—Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
But Tewksbury responded to the push as Lavoie potted a power play tally with 3:41 to play in the second as the Redmen nursed a 4-1 advantage into the third stanza.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Each stanza reflects the confusion, horror and uncertainty that of the battle to keep Fort McHenry — and thus the City of Baltimore — from falling into British hands.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Thursday’s contest was scoreless through the first period-plus, before Holy Family (22-7) struck twice in the second stanza.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 21 Feb. 2025
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Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
But Tewksbury responded to the push as Lavoie potted a power play tally with 3:41 to play in the second as the Redmen nursed a 4-1 advantage into the third stanza.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Each stanza reflects the confusion, horror and uncertainty that of the battle to keep Fort McHenry — and thus the City of Baltimore — from falling into British hands.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Thursday’s contest was scoreless through the first period-plus, before Holy Family (22-7) struck twice in the second stanza.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stanza
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Cite this Entry
“Stanza.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stanza. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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stanza
noun
stan·za
ˈstan-zə 
: a division of a poem consisting of a series of lines arranged together in a usually repeating pattern of rhythm and rhyme
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