stead
the place of a person or thing as occupied by a successor or substitute: The nephew of the queen came in her stead.
Obsolete. a place or locality.
to be of service, advantage, or avail to.
Idioms about stead
stand in good stead, to be useful to, especially in a critical situation: Your experience will stand you in good stead.
Origin of stead
1Words Nearby stead
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use stead in a sentence
Water Authority board members can designate other members agency to vote in their stead – as a proxy – if they’re absent.
Water Authority’s Confidential Consultant Contracts Surprised Board | MacKenzie Elmer | August 4, 2021 | Voice of San DiegoIn 2020, Spears requested through her lawyer that Montgomery be made conservator in her father’s stead, and that a bank be appointed as a conservator of her estate.
What to know about Britney Spears’s court battle over her conservatorship | Ashley Fetters | July 14, 2021 | Washington PostMiss Manners recommends that next time, you helpfully suggest a ride-share app — or another hapless relative — in your stead.
Miss Manners: It’s more than okay to ask about safety protocols | Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin | May 7, 2021 | Washington PostEach of the 24 directors can designate another member agency to vote in its stead at the Water Authority board meetings if they can’t make it.
Controversial Pipeline Project Is Fueling Drama Within the Water Authority | MacKenzie Elmer | April 13, 2021 | Voice of San DiegoA professional conservator has acted in his stead in the meantime.
Britney Spears and the trauma of being young, female and famous in the ’90s | Ashley Fetters | February 5, 2021 | Washington Post
When Adele won Best Solo Pop Performance, Sediuk stormed the stage, attempting to accept the award in Adele's stead.
An Analysis of Vitalii Sediuk’s Pranks (He’s the Guy Who Touched Brad Pitt) | Amy Zimmerman | May 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTRather than saying a prayer, he asked those with ears to hear to say a prayer in his stead.
In his stead today is Mohamed Morsi, a member of a party whose slogan is “Islam is the solution.”
Plague or Plenty? New Report Envisions the World in 2030 | Eli Lake | December 11, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTBut would that modus operandi of old hold him in good stead with the “three-ring policy circus” he faces?
President Obama’s Hill Challenge in Avoiding Fiscal Cliff | James Warren | November 9, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTIn the world of endless second chances, he will have to revive that plan or offer another one in its stead.
Ryan Budget Plan Sounds Good But Lacks Substance | Zachary Karabell | August 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTCertainly in that year I learned much and acquired from my chief business habits which have stood me in good stead since.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph TatlowNor would it be just for you to forgive him because another son of yours was willing to be punished in his stead.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordOrganisation was his first work, and his former experience of irregular warfare in Poland stood him in good stead.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonHe did come,—a big, gran' man, wid a look which made me glad Miss Dory was in heaven 'stead of livin' wid him.
The Cromptons | Mary J. HolmesThus, though King James be at last excluded, his Subjects reign in his stead.
An Account of the Growth of Deism in England | William Stephens
British Dictionary definitions for stead (1 of 2)
/ (stɛd) /
(preceded by in) rare the place, function, or position that should be taken by another: to come in someone's stead
stand someone in good stead to be useful or of good service to (someone)
(tr) archaic to help or benefit
Origin of stead
1British Dictionary definitions for Stead (2 of 2)
/ (stɛd) /
Christina (Ellen). 1902–83, Australian novelist. Her works include Seven Poor Men of Sydney (1934), The Man who Loved Children (1940), and Cotters' England (1966)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with stead
see in someone's shoes (stead); stand in good stead. Also see under instead.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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