Stay Meaning

UK /steɪ/
US /steɪ/
Word Definition
stay meaning

Stay Definition & Usage

verb

To remain in a particular place or position for a period of time.

Examples

  • "We decided to stay at home for the weekend."
  • "She stayed at the party until midnight."
  • "They stayed in Paris for a week."
  • "I had to stay in bed due to the flu."
  • "The dog stayed by the door, waiting for his owner."
verb

To continue to be in a specified condition or state.

Examples

  • "She stayed calm throughout the crisis."
  • "His health stayed stable after the surgery."
  • "The weather stayed warm for the entire week."
  • "They stayed friends even after the argument."
  • "I need to stay focused during the exam."
verb

To delay or postpone something.

Examples

  • "We need to stay the meeting until next week."
  • "They stayed the decision until further notice."
  • "The judge stayed the execution order."
  • "Can you stay the presentation for a few more minutes?"
  • "The storm stayed the flight schedule for several hours."
noun

The period of time during which one remains in a location or state.

Examples

  • "Her stay at the hotel was very comfortable."
  • "The family enjoyed their stay in the countryside."
  • "We extended our stay by an extra night."
  • "His stay at the hospital lasted for two weeks."
  • "During their stay in New York, they visited many landmarks."
noun

A court order that temporarily prevents an action from being carried out.

Examples

  • "The judge issued a stay on the eviction notice."
  • "The company was granted a stay of execution on their bankruptcy proceedings."
  • "The lawyer filed for a stay of the ruling until a new trial could be held."
  • "A temporary stay was granted to halt the demolition of the building."
  • "They applied for a stay to delay the enforcement of the decision."

Cultural Context

The word 'stay' has its origins in Latin 'stare', which means 'to stand' or 'to be in a place.' It has evolved through various languages including Old French, before becoming part of modern English. Over time, it has accumulated various meanings, both literal (remaining in a location) and metaphorical (continuing in a state or condition).

A Stay to Remember

Story

A Stay to Remember

Anna had always been a restless traveler. She loved exploring new cities, meeting new people, and staying in the most unusual places. But this weekend, something was different. She had decided to stay in her small apartment and take a 'staycation'—a break from the usual whirlwind of activity. As the days passed, she found herself savoring the quiet, the stillness. She stayed in bed longer than usual, catching up on reading, and even decided to stay away from her phone for most of the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, Anna received a call from her old friend Mark, who was in town on business. He asked if she would stay the night at his hotel, but she declined, citing her desire to stay in and relax. Mark joked about staying at a luxury hotel while she stayed home in 'glorious solitude.' Later, he messaged her to say his meeting had been postponed, and he decided to stay longer in the city. As the evening approached, Anna stayed on her couch, eyes fixed on the TV screen. Just then, she received a legal notice from the property management company stating that there would be a stay on the planned renovations for another two months. The building would remain quiet for the foreseeable future. Anna reflected on the quietness of the weekend, how she'd stayed focused on things that mattered to her. The decision to stay in, to not rush around, had been just what she needed. The simple act of staying had brought clarity to her life. She couldn't help but smile, realizing that sometimes, staying in one place could lead to the most unexpected revelations.

A Stay to Remember