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. stand someone in good stead
   to be useful or of good service to (someone)

verb

1. archaic.
   tr to help or benefit

Stead

²

/ stɛd /

noun

1. SteadChristina (Ellen)19021983FAustralianWRITING: novelist 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.

More idioms and phrases containing stead

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

Example Sentences

His ability to keep his cool on the pitch stood him in good stead for a career in live broadcasting when he retired as a player in 1994.

From BBC

Against Lecce last weekend, the midfielder’s positioning changed again and his fluidity as well as the team’s tactical capability of playing in different formations will stand them in good stead.

From BBC

Marks ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns in his stead.

From Los Angeles Times

They said they hoped the experience of sitting a formal exam would stand them in good stead, both for secondary school in general and for future GCSEs.

From BBC

With the son she installed on the throne clinging to life and looking like an overdone grilled cheese, Alicent mistakenly assumes the weight of ruling in his stead would naturally fall to her.

From Salon