stage

American  

[steyj] / steɪdʒ /

noun

1. a single step or degree in a process; a particular phase, period, position, etc., in a process, development, or series.

2. a raised platform or floor, as for speakers, performers, etc.

3. Theater.

   1. the platform on which the actors perform in a theater.

   2. this platform with all the parts of the theater and all the apparatus back of the proscenium.

4. the stage, the theater, especially acting, as a profession.

   He plans to make the stage his career.

5. Movies. sound stage.

6. the scene of any action.

   Synonyms:

   locale, setting, spot

7. a stagecoach.

8. a place of rest on a journey; a regular stopping place of a stagecoach or the like, for the change of horses, mules, etc.

9. the distance between two places of rest on a journey; each of the portions of a journey.

10. a portion or period of a course of action, of life, etc..

    the adolescent stage of human development.

11. Entomology.

    1. any one of the major time periods in the development of an insect, as the embryonic, larval, pupal, and imaginal stages.

    2. Also called stadium.  any one of the periods of larval growth between molts.

12. Economics, Sociology. a major phase of the economic or sociological life of human beings or society.

    the patriarchal stage.

13. Geology. a division of stratified rocks corresponding to a single geologic age.

14. the small platform of a microscope on which the object to be examined is placed.

15. Radio. an element in a complex mechanism, as a tube and its accessory structures in a multiple amplifier.

16. Rocketry. a section of a rocket containing a rocket engine or cluster of rocket engines, usually separable from other such sections when its propellant is exhausted.

---

verb (used with object)

staged, staging

1. to represent, produce, or exhibit on or as if on a stage.

   The drama class staged a play during Christmas vacation.

2. to furnish with a stage, staging, stage set, etc.

3. to write, direct, or produce (a play) with the action taking place as if in a specified locale or time.

   He staged the fantasy on Mars in the year 2500.

4. to plan, organize, or carry out (an activity), especially for dramatic or public effect.

   Workers staged a one-day strike.

5. to classify the natural progression of (a disease, especially cancer).

6. to prepare (a home) for sale in such a way as to appeal to potential buyers and generate a higher selling price.

   They were initially reluctant to hire someone to stage their apartment.

verb (used without object)

staged, staging

1. to be suitable for presentation or performance on the stage.

   The script didn't stage well.

2. to travel by stagecoach.

idioms

1. go on the stage, to become an actor, especially in the theater.

   She knew from the age of 12 that she would go on the stage.

2. by easy stages, working, traveling, etc., slowly, with frequent pauses; unhurriedly, with many stops; gradually.

3. on stage, performing, especially as an actor.

4. hold the stage,

   1. to continue to be produced, as a play or other theatrical production.

   2. to be the center of attention.

stage British  

/ steɪdʒ /

noun

1. a distinct step or period of development, growth, or progress

   a child at the toddling stage

2. a raised area or platform

3. the platform in a theatre where actors perform

4. the theatre as a profession

5. any scene regarded as a setting for an event or action

6. a portion of a journey or a stopping place after such a portion

7. short for stagecoach

8. a division of a bus route for which there is a fixed fare

9. one of the separate propulsion units of a rocket that can be jettisoned when it has burnt out See also multistage

10. any of the various distinct periods of growth or development in the life of an organism, esp an insect

    a larval stage

    pupal stage

11. the organism itself at such a period of growth

12. a small stratigraphical unit; a subdivision of a rock series or system

13. the platform on a microscope on which the specimen is mounted for examination

14. electronics a part of a complex circuit, esp one of a number of transistors with the associated elements required to amplify a signal in an amplifier

15. a university subject studied for one academic year

    Stage II French

16. not hurriedly

    he learned French by easy stages

---

verb

1. (tr) to perform (a play), esp on a stage

   we are going to stage ``Hamlet''

2. (tr) to set the action of (a play) in a particular time or place

3. (tr) to plan, organize, and carry out (an event)

4. obsolete (intr) to travel by stagecoach

stage More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing stage

• at this stage
• set the scene (stage) for

---

Other Word Forms

• interstage adjective
• restage verb (used with object)
• stageability noun
• stageable adjective
• stageableness noun
• stageably adverb
• superstage noun
• understage noun

Etymology

Origin of stage

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (noun) from Old French estage ( French étage ), from Vulgar Latin staticum (unattested) “standing place,” equivalent to stat(us) status + -icum, neuter of -icus -ic

Explanation

A stage is a certain phase, like the toddler stage, when kids learn to walk and talk. Another kind of stage is a platform for a performance, although according to Shakespeare, “All the world's a stage.” There are stages of life, development, and grief — and stages of a rocket launch. Another kind of stage is the one that actors, singers, and puppet masters perform on. The profession of theater acting itself is in fact sometimes referred to as "the stage," and to put on a play is to stage it. A "stage whisper" is one between actors that's loud enough for the audience to hear, and a "stage name" is an actor's professional name.

Example Sentences

Byrne’s set started 25 minutes late and he arrived on stage wearing an orange jumpsuit and holding acoustic guitar.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

The Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido singer spoke on stage saying she was proud despite the feat taking "27 years" to happen.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Karol G finally commanding this stage was living proof it’s possible to kick that door in.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

She brought her "Sabrinawood" concept to the stage -- a sort of love letter to cinema -- which featured appearances by big-screen stars such as Sam Elliott, Susan Sarandon and Will Ferrell.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

My mother didn’t know what to put on the stage for him to use.

From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson

Related Words

• do
• execute
• mount
• open
• orchestrate
• organize
• perform
• play
• present
• put on