stela

noun

ste·​la ˈstē-lə How to pronounce stela (audio)
variants or stele
ˈstē-lē How to pronounce stela (audio)
plural stelae ˈstē-(ˌ)lē How to pronounce stela (audio) or steles
: a usually carved or inscribed stone slab or pillar used for commemorative purposes

Examples of stela in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The stela at the Richard Moya Eastside Bus Plaza, at East Fifth Street and Shady Lane, recalls the effort to win better pay and benefits and the right to bargain collectively from the Economy Furniture Company — where 90% of the workers were Hispanic. — Asher Price, Axios, 18 Sep. 2024 The stela shows an individual wearing a headdress and necklace, items usually associated with women, while wielding a pair of swords. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin & Greek; Latin stela, from Greek stēlē; akin to Old High German stollo pillar, Greek stellein to set up

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stela was in 1776

Rhymes for stela

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stela
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Cite this Entry

“Stela.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stela. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stela

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