Phrase guide

stave in

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To stave from the outside, to crush inward, to cause to collapse inward.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • "We'll get an axe and stave in all these barrels and the liquid will all run out", threatened the man.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

burst or force (a hole) into something

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stave

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: burst, split, break open

3

verb

Meaning 3

break in the staves (of)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • stave in a cask

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: break in

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.