stead

[sted]

noun

1. the place of a person or thing as occupied by a successor or substitute.

   The nephew of the queen came in her stead.

2. Obsolete.,  a place or locality.

verb (used with object)

1. to be of service, advantage, or avail to.

stead

¹

/ stɛd /

noun

1. rare,  (preceded by in) the place, function, or position that should be taken by another

   to come in someone's stead

2. to be useful or of good service to (someone)

verb

1. archaic,  (tr) to help or benefit

Stead

²

/ stɛd /

noun

1. 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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of stead¹

before 900; (noun) Middle English, Old English stede; cognate with German Stätte place; akin to German Stadt, Old Norse stathr, Gothic staths, Greek stásis ( stasis ); (v.) Middle English steden, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stead¹

Old English stede ; related to Old Norse stathr place, Old High German stat place, Latin statiō a standing, statim immediately

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. stand in good stead, to be useful to, especially in a critical situation.

   Your experience will stand you in good stead.

see in someone's shoes (stead); stand in good stead. Also see under instead.

Example Sentences

"It's held him in good stead over the last couple of years," Greenberg told SEN radio of playing golf.

Read more on Barron's

A few bubbles rise to the surface in his stead.

Read more on Literature

However, she did represent Wales at this summer’s Euros - experience which clearly stood her in good stead on this stage.

Read more on BBC

Former pro footballer and now pundit and presenter, Scott said her sporting career will put in good stead for the show's infamous trials.

Read more on BBC

Wealthy Americans are helping keep swaths of the economy in good stead as they continue to buy first-class plane tickets and high-end sneakers, while more Americans are clipping coupons and cutting back on nonessentials.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal