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

And in his stead, Shohei Ohtani was tapped to fill in on short notice, offering to take the ball two days after having his own scheduled pitching start on Wednesday scratched because of an illness.

From Los Angeles Times

They have a strong team and performed well last season which I think puts them in good stead, but I don't see them challenging for the title.

From BBC

It's also fair to say that Hollywood always enjoys a film about itself - which could stand Jay Kelly in good stead come awards season.

From BBC

Gauff lost her first - and only - grass-court match since her Paris triumph, but her title run there, where she came through a few tricky matches, will serve her in good stead.

From BBC

A new chairman, David Bull, has been appointed in his stead.

From BBC