a vertical wooden post or plank in a building or other structure, a set of five horizontal lines and four spaces that each represent a different musical pitch

on the stave, stave off, stave in

Formal and Informal Expressions of stave

In different contexts, you can replace 'stave' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'plank, board' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'stick, pole' is a commonplace synonym.

stave: Explore its Definition & Usage

stave Definition

1a vertical wooden post or plank in a building or other structure
2a set of five horizontal lines and four spaces that each represent a different musical pitch

Using stave: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "stave" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The staves of the old barn were rotting away.
Example
The barrel was held together by iron hoops and wooden staves.
Example
She read the notes from the stave.
Example
He wrote the melody on the treble stave.

stave Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for stave

Phrases with stave

on the stave
in musical notation, written on the five-line staff
Example
The notes on the stave were too high for her to sing.
stave off
to prevent or delay something unpleasant or dangerous
Example
He drank tea to stave off hunger.
stave in
to break or smash something inward
Example
The car's roof was staved in by the falling tree.

Origins of stave

from Old English 'stafas', meaning 'staff' or 'stick'

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Summary: stave in Brief

The term 'stave' [steɪv] has two main meanings. It can refer to a vertical wooden post or plank in a building or other structure, such as 'The staves of the old barn were rotting away.' Alternatively, it can refer to a set of five horizontal lines and four spaces that each represent a different musical pitch, as in 'She read the notes from the stave.' Other phrases include 'on the stave,' referring to musical notation, and 'stave off,' meaning to prevent or delay something unpleasant or dangerous.