stud

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical

n. a vertical wooden or metal post used inside a wall to support it.

n. an upright support in the wall of a building to which sheathing, drywall, or laths are attached.

“You need to find a stud in the wall before you hang that heavy shelf.”

“The carpenter spaced the timber studs at sixteen-inch intervals to ensure the partition wall met local building codes.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal · Slang

n. a man who is considered very strong and sexually attractive.

n. a man perceived as being physically attractive and sexually successful.

“He thinks he is a bit of a stud now that he has started going to the gym.”

“The protagonist was cast as a typical Hollywood stud, though the script gave him very little actual dialogue.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical

n. a male animal, especially a horse, kept for breeding.

n. a male animal, particularly a stallion, retained for breeding purposes.

“The champion horse was retired from racing and sent to a stud farm.”

“The farm's reputation was built on the quality of its stud, which had sired several prize-winning colts over the last decade.”

C1 · Advanced Literary

v. to cover a surface with many small objects.

v. to scatter or set something over a surface at intervals for decoration or reinforcement.

“On a clear night, thousands of stars stud the sky.”

“The crown was studded with rare emeralds and diamonds that caught the light with every movement of the queen's head.”