stage

American  

[stayj] / steɪdʒ /

noun

• stages
  plural

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.

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verb (used with object)

• stages,
  present (3rd person singular)
• staged,
  past participle,  past
• staging
  present participle

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)

• stages,
  present (3rd person singular)
• staged,
  past participle,  past
• staging
  present participle

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

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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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• stages
  plural

Participles

• staging
  present
• staged
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• stage
  simple
• stages
  simple
• have staged
  perfect
• has staged
  perfect
• am staging
  progressive
• are staging
  progressive
• is staging
  progressive
• have been staging
  perfect progressive
• has been staging
  perfect progressive

Past

• staged
  simple
• had staged
  perfect
• was staging
  progressive
• were staging
  progressive
• had been staging
  perfect progressive

Future

• will stage
  simple
• will have staged
  perfect
• will be staging
  progressive
• will have been staging
  perfect progressive

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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

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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

See Examples For:

stage stages staged staging

Green, dropped on 10, survived to lunch but at one stage he was being protected from Harmer's spin by number eight Mitchell Starc.

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026

The research also raises intriguing questions about bacterial evolution, including how such an elaborate defense arose and whether type VI retrons represent an earlier, later, or intermediate stage in the evolution of these immune systems.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026

While ‘Star Trek’ and ‘X-Men’ defined his Hollywood career, Patrick Stewart’s classical training shaped acclaimed stage work, including ‘Hamlet,’ ‘Macbeth’ and collaborations with Ian McKellen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026

But Stewart’s gravitas, honed over many years of British stage performance, made Picard the show’s gravitational center, and he was proud of that.

From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2026

There’s no way to avoid standing up and walking across the stage to accept my consolation prize.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Even in the latter stages, Bryan Mbeumo's blistering shot couldn't find its way in.

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026

Local officials hope a groundbreaking ceremony will take place next year and that about 600 jobs will be created by the project, which is still in the permitting stages.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026

After examining video recordings and photographs of 75 meteorite falls, researchers identified seven stages that describe how these objects transform into meteorites.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2026

La Cuna Center, which opened in 2025, hosts an artist-residency program and occasionally stages public events featuring art inspired by the surrounding environment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

She would have to do the operation in stages.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Environmental campaigners have staged a Halloween themed demonstration outside the first minister's official residence over "scary" fossil fuels.

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026

The surprise inclusion of a certain actor and staged reenactments are among the film’s non-conventional elements that expose the tensions between performance, nonfiction and truth.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

Against the San Diego Padres in the division series, they staged a dramatic ninth-inning comeback against star closer Mason Miller, who had blown three saves all year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

The Quaest poll was conducted between Friday and Saturday, when both campaigns staged massive rallies in a last bid to sway voters.

From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2026

“What could I have done, Bast? Smeared my face with lampblack and staged a daring midnight rescue?”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

There was no equivalent buyback “cliff” at the end of July, again suggesting this time round, staging a recovery may be more difficult.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026

Raman, in turn, has sought to show she is ready to lead immediately, staging a rally last week where she unveiled plans for her first 100 days in office.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

Like sleep staging, it’s an inference, not a direct measurement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026

By comparison, 37.5% of those staging IPOs in 2025 were trading above their offering price as of the same date, according to the bank.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Three years after Truman’s staging of Rent—and thirty-six years after my own high school graduation—I was asked to give the commencement speech at Truman High.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

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