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
Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024
This comes on the heels of the relaunch of Maker’s Mark’s Wood Finishing Series, which arrived last June in the form of the Heart Release, a cask-strength bourbon finished with two different types of wood staves.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2024
Uri Friedman, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024
Zimbabwe needs help from its international partners, as well as from neighboring countries and regional blocs, to stave of total economic collapse.
—Tendai Biti, Foreign Affairs, 20 Aug. 2019
See all Example Sentences for stave 
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Noun
It is made from finishing Yellowstone Select with toasted oak staves, this 100-proof bourbon brings extra character.
—Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024
This comes on the heels of the relaunch of Maker’s Mark’s Wood Finishing Series, which arrived last June in the form of the Heart Release, a cask-strength bourbon finished with two different types of wood staves.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2024
Verb
Or Israel and the U.S. could take military action to stave them off.
—Uri Friedman, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024
Zimbabwe needs help from its international partners, as well as from neighboring countries and regional blocs, to stave of total economic collapse.
—Tendai Biti, Foreign Affairs, 20 Aug. 2019
See all Example Sentences for stave
Dictionary Entries Near stave
Cite this Entry
“Stave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stave. Accessed 22 Nov. 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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