stead

UK: /ˈstɛd/ US: /stɛd/ ,(sted)

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

stead /stɛd/   n. [countable* usually singular]

1. the place of a person or thing, as when a substitute takes over:
   The nephew of the queen came in her stead.

Idioms

2. Idioms stand (someone) in good stead, [stand + object + in good + ~] to prove useful to:
   Her letter of recommendation will stand you in good stead.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

stead (sted),  n. 

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. [Obs.] a place or locality.
3. stand in good stead, to be useful to, esp. in a critical situation:
   Your experience will stand you in good stead.

v.t. 

4. to be of service, advantage, or avail to.

• bef. 900; (noun, nominal) Middle English, Old English stede; cognate with German Stätte place; akin to German Stadt, Old Norse stathr, Gothic staths, Greek stásis (see stasis); (verb, verbal) Middle English steden, derivative of the noun, nominal

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

stead / stɛd/ noun

1. (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. (transitive) to help or benefit

Etymology: Old English stede; related to Old Norse stathr place, Old High German stat place, Latin statiō a standing, statim immediately

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Stead / 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)