stadia

UK: /ˈsteɪdɪə/ US: (stā′dē ə)

From stadium (n):

stadiums

npl

stadia

npl

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sta•di•a¹  (stā′dē ə), n. 

1. Surveying a method of surveying in which distances are read by noting the interval on a graduated rod intercepted by two parallel cross hairs (sta′dia hairs′ or sta′dia wires′) mounted in the telescope of a surveying instrument, the rod being placed at one end of the distance to be measured and the surveying instrument at the other.

adj. 

2. Surveying pertaining to such a method of surveying.

• probably special use of stadia² 1860–65

sta•di•a²  (stā′dē ə), n. 

1. a pl. of stadium. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

stadia / ˈsteɪdɪə/ noun

1. tacheometry that makes use of a telescopic surveying instrument and a graduated staff calibrated to correspond with the distance from the observer
2. (as modifier): stadia surveying
3. the two parallel cross hairs or stadia hairs in the eyepiece of the instrument used
4. the staff used

Etymology: 19th Century: probably from stadia²

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

sta•di•um /ˈsteɪdiəm/   n. [countable] , pl. -di•ums, -di•a 

/-diə/.  
1. a sports arena with rising rows of seats for viewers.
2. Antiquity (in ancient Greece and Rome) a track for foot races.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sta•di•um  (stā′dē əm), n., pl. -di•ums, -di•a 

(-dē ə). 
1. a sports arena, usually oval or horseshoe-shaped, with tiers of seats for spectators.
2. Antiquity an ancient Greek course for foot races, typically semicircular, with tiers of seats for spectators.
3. Antiquity, Weights and Measures an ancient Greek and Roman unit of length, the Athenian unit being equal to about 607 feet (185 m).
4. a stage in a process or in the life of an organism.
5. Insects [Entomol.] stage (def. 11b).

• Greek stádion unit of distance, racecourse
• Latin
• Middle English 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

stadium / ˈsteɪdɪəm/ noun ( -diums, -dia / -dɪə/)

1. a sports arena with tiered seats for spectators
2. (in ancient Greece) a course for races, usually located between two hills providing natural slopes for tiers of seats
3. an ancient Greek measure of length equivalent to about 607 feet or 184 metres

Etymology: 16th Century: via Latin from Greek stadion, changed from spadion a racecourse, from spān to pull; also influenced by Greek stadios steady