stead

1 of 2

noun

ˈsted 

1

: the office, place, or function ordinarily occupied or carried out by someone or something else

acted in his brother's stead

2

: advantage

—used chiefly in the phrase to stand one in good stead

3

obsolete : locality, place

stead

2 of 2

verb

steaded; steading; steads

transitive verb

: to be of avail to : help

Synonyms

Noun

• advantage
• edge

Examples of stead in a Sentence

Noun

a summer internship will stand you in good stead when applying to college

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This positional change shifted Nick Loftin — who started in left field — to first base and inserted John Rave in his stead. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025

In Clarke’s stead, Rooker, Thomas, Carlos Cortes and JJ Bleday have gotten playing time in the outfield. —Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2025

In his stead, Dimension 20’s Brennan Lee Mulligan will be taking over the big chair. —Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Jalen Pickett started in the stead of Murray, with his normal backup Russell Westbrook remained a reserve. —Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stede, from Old English; akin to Old High German stat place, Old English standan to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stead

• in someone's/something's stead
• stand someone/something in good stead

Rhymes for stead

• bed
• bled
• bread
• bred
• dead
• dread
• ed
• fed
• fled
• ged
• head
• lead

Kids Definition

stead

noun

ˈsted

1

: advantage sense 3, service

their knowledge of French stood them in good stead

2

: the place usually taken or duty carried out by the one mentioned

acted in the mayor's stead