# Steve

/ˈstiv/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a person's name

noun · CEFR A1

a short form of the male names Steven or Stephen.

For teachers: a common diminutive of the masculine given names Steven or Stephen.

- My friend Steve is coming over to help me move some furniture this weekend.
- The project was led by Steve, whose extensive experience in software architecture proved invaluable during the initial design phase.

### 3. to pack cargo

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Archaic

to pack or store goods tightly, especially on a ship.

For teachers: to stow or pack cargo securely within the hold of a vessel.

- The workers had to steve the cotton bales carefully to fit them all in the ship.
- The foreman instructed the crew on how to steve the heavy machinery to ensure the vessel remained balanced during the crossing.

Usage: This verb is the root of the more common noun 'stevedore'.

## Examples

- My brother's name is Steve.
- The manager asked Steve to lead the morning meeting because he has the most experience with the new software.
- While the name Steve was exceptionally popular in the mid-twentieth century, its usage has declined in recent decades as parents opt for more traditional or unique alternatives.

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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.