stage

[ steyj ]

noun

1. a single step or degree in a process; a particular phase, period, position, etc., in a process, development, or series.
2. a raised platform or floor, as for speakers, performers, etc.
3. Theater.
   1. the platform on which the actors perform in a theater.
   2. this platform with all the parts of the theater and all the apparatus back of the proscenium.
4. the stage, the theater, especially acting, as a profession:

   He plans to make the stage his career.

5. Movies. sound stage.
6. the scene of any action.

   Synonyms: locale, setting, spot

7. a stagecoach.
8. a place of rest on a journey; a regular stopping place of a stagecoach or the like, for the change of horses, mules, etc.
9. the distance between two places of rest on a journey; each of the portions of a journey.
10. a portion or period of a course of action, of life, etc.:

    the adolescent stage of human development.

11. Entomology.
    1. any one of the major time periods in the development of an insect, as the embryonic, larval, pupal, and imaginal stages.
    2. Also called stadium. any one of the periods of larval growth between molts.
12. Economics, Sociology. a major phase of the economic or sociological life of human beings or society:

    the patriarchal stage.

13. Geology. a division of stratified rocks corresponding to a single geologic age.
14. the small platform of a microscope on which the object to be examined is placed.
15. Radio. an element in a complex mechanism, as a tube and its accessory structures in a multiple amplifier.
16. Rocketry. a section of a rocket containing a rocket engine or cluster of rocket engines, usually separable from other such sections when its propellant is exhausted.

verb (used with object)

, staged, stag·ing.

1. to represent, produce, or exhibit on or as if on a stage:

   The drama class staged a play during Christmas vacation.

2. to furnish with a stage, staging, stage set, etc.
3. to write, direct, or produce (a play) with the action taking place as if in a specified locale or time:

   He staged the fantasy on Mars in the year 2500.

4. to plan, organize, or carry out (an activity), especially for dramatic or public effect:

   Workers staged a one-day strike.

5. to classify the natural progression of (a disease, especially cancer).
6. to prepare (a home) for sale in such a way as to appeal to potential buyers and generate a higher selling price:

   They were initially reluctant to hire someone to stage their apartment.

verb (used without object)

, staged, stag·ing.

1. to be suitable for presentation or performance on the stage:

   The script didn't stage well.

2. to travel by stagecoach.

stage

/ steɪdʒ /

noun

1. a distinct step or period of development, growth, or progress

   a child at the toddling stage

2. a raised area or platform
3. the platform in a theatre where actors perform
4. the stage
   the theatre as a profession
5. any scene regarded as a setting for an event or action
6. a portion of a journey or a stopping place after such a portion
7. short for stagecoach
8. a division of a bus route for which there is a fixed fare
9. one of the separate propulsion units of a rocket that can be jettisoned when it has burnt out See also multistage
10. any of the various distinct periods of growth or development in the life of an organism, esp an insect

    pupal stage

    a larval stage

11. the organism itself at such a period of growth
12. a small stratigraphical unit; a subdivision of a rock series or system
13. the platform on a microscope on which the specimen is mounted for examination
14. electronics a part of a complex circuit, esp one of a number of transistors with the associated elements required to amplify a signal in an amplifier
15. a university subject studied for one academic year

    Stage II French

16. by easy stages or in easy stages
    not hurriedly

    he learned French by easy stages

verb

1. tr to perform (a play), esp on a stage

   we are going to stage ``Hamlet''

2. tr to set the action of (a play) in a particular time or place
3. tr to plan, organize, and carry out (an event)
4. obsolete.
   intr to travel by stagecoach

Other Words From

• stagea·ble adjective
• stagea·bili·ty stagea·ble·ness noun
• stagea·bly adverb
• inter·stage adjective
• re·stage verb (used with object) restaged restaging
• super·stage noun
• under·stage noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stage¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (noun) from Old French estage ( French étage ), from Vulgar Latin staticum (unattested) “standing place,” equivalent to stat(us) status + -icum, neuter of -icus -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of stage¹

C13: from Old French estage position, from Vulgar Latin staticum (unattested), from Latin stāre to stand

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. by easy stages, working, traveling, etc., slowly, with frequent pauses; unhurriedly, with many stops; gradually.
2. go on the stage, to become an actor, especially in the theater:

   She knew from the age of 12 that she would go on the stage.

3. hold the stage,
   1. to continue to be produced, as a play or other theatrical production.
   2. to be the center of attention.
4. on stage, performing, especially as an actor.

More idioms and phrases containing stage

• at this stage
• set the scene (stage) for

Example Sentences

“He was shy and funny and so so comfortable on stage. Wow. Like his second skin. You couldn’t take your eyes off him.”

From Los Angeles Times

Then there’s the added challenge of making a film that is both faithful to the cherished stage production and accessible to audiences who are entirely unfamiliar with the show.

From Salon

This stood him in good stead when he moved to UTV to front its political coverage at a crucial stage in the peace process in the mid-1990s.

From BBC

Researchers showed this process started much earlier than previously thought suggesting the earliest stages of pregnancy could have an impact on immune function for life.

From BBC

She got her start waiting tables at the Redd Foxx Club on La Cienega Boulevard in West Hollywood, but was noticed for her beauty and invited on stage, where she was a natural.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lap
• leg
• moment
• phase
• point
• standing
• step