stole

1 of 2

past tense of steal

1
: a long loose garment : robe
2
: an ecclesiastical vestment consisting of a long usually silk band worn traditionally around the neck by bishops and priests and over the left shoulder by deacons
3
: a long wide scarf or similar covering worn by women usually across the shoulders

Examples of stole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The singer and actress added a fur stole and black lace gloves. Catherine Santino, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025 Among the instruments Meng stole were a Giulio Degani violin worth $175,000, a Lorenzo Ventapane violin from 1823 valued at another $175,000, and several other violins and bows totaling over half a million dollars. Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2025 Furry stoles and scarves are key accessories, with takes from Prada, Armani and Miu Miu alongside bold versions from Burberry, Simone Rocha and Diotima. Sandra Salibian, WWD, 17 Mar. 2025 He is seen wearing a stole, a vestment worn to concelebrate Mass. The Vatican announced on Sunday, for the first time since his hospitalization a month ago, that Francis concelebrated Mass at the chapel in Rome’s Gemelli hospital. Christopher Lamb, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stole

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin stola, from Greek stolē equipment, robe, from stellein to set up, make ready

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stole was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stole. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

stole

1 of 2
ˈstōl

past of steal

stole

2 of 2 noun
1
: a long narrow band worn around the neck by bishops and priests in ceremonies
2
: a long wide scarf or similar covering worn by women usually across the shoulders

Legal Definition

stole

past of steal

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