# stead

/ˈstɛd/ (US) · /stˈɛd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stead
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the place or role that someone or something else usually has. It is almost always used in the phrase 'in someone's stead' to mean doing something for them.

For teachers: the place, role, or function filled by a substitute. Primarily occurs within the prepositional phrase 'in one's stead', where it functions as a replacement for a person or thing.

## Examples

- She could not attend the meeting, so her assistant went in her stead.
- When the lead actor fell ill, the understudy performed in his stead for the remainder of the week.
- The elder statesman retired from public life, leaving his daughter to advocate for the community's interests in his stead during the upcoming negotiations.

## Usage notes

- Almost exclusively used in the fixed idiomatic construction 'in someone's stead' or 'in the stead of'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.