stage

American  

[steyj] / 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

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

See Examples For:

stage stages staged staging

She "looked suitably humbled and tearful" as she emerged, he said, going on to praise the stage direction.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

When he came on the stage shortly after 8pm, dressed in traditional attire, the stadium erupted and the screams barely stopped for the next two-and-a-bit hours.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

For the final stage of the study, they analyzed infrared observations of Mercury collected from Earth, including measurements made with the Bok Telescope at Steward Observatory in the U.S. state of Arizona.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 12, 2026

As Felton and Grint return to familiar roles on stage, a new generation is preparing to take over the characters in HBO's television adaptation of the books set to air later this year.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

A young boy stood by the side to explain the action and show with a pointer the different figures that were coming on stage.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios

"The Social Democrats are losing ground," she noted, even though the late stages of the campaign were dominated by traditional left-wing issues, notably healthcare, schools and benefits.

From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026

The latest DNA identifications provide new insight into what happened during the expedition's final stages while also resolving a 166-year-old mystery surrounding one sailor's identity.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026

Private investors say they are re-assessing the fair valuations of companies in a sector where technology is still in the early stages of development and lacks market use cases.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

One alternative is always to buy slowly and in stages, minimizing the painful risk of buying right at the peak.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026

But in the early stages of its development, it is very vulnerable.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

Which is completely in keeping with Solheim Cup matches, especially those staged in Europe.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

Sisic was crowned Miss Austria in 2024 and remained the reigning titleholder as no subsequent contest has yet been staged.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

A morally questionable reporter-turned TV host is the protagonist of Lance Oppenheim's "Primetime", based on the real-life NBC television show "To Catch a Predator" that unmasked paedophiles after luring them to staged meetings with minors.

From Barron's ● Sep. 6, 2026

Gap has staged a comeback, thanks in part to celebrity collaborations, trendy products and marketing that is resonating with consumers, The Wall Street Journal’s Suzanne Kapner reports.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

I hoped with all my heart that it was more than just theater, staged to make this hard thing we had to do seem possible.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

Ushuaia is already home to a more centrally located naval facility established in 1950, the Admiral Berisso Base, a staging point for Antarctic expeditions.

From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026

But the staging makes up for the dramatic shortfall.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

The Telegraph called the show "flawless", external, praising its "Hollywood-indebted" staging, and Grande's "genuine affection for Britain".

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

Other venues on Walking Street, the city’s main drag, are staging DJ nights or bringing in extra hands to welcome the expected crowds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

She opened the door and flung herself into the staging area.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

Related Words

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