<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>one of the thin, narrow, shaped pieces of wood that form the sides of a cask, tub, or similar vessel.</li><li>a stick, rod, pole, or the like.</li><li>a rung of a ladder, chair, etc.</li><li>Prosody: a verse or stanza of a poem or song.</li><li>the alliterating sound in a line of verse, as the w- sound in "wind in the willows."</li><li>Music: staff 1 (def 10).</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to break in a stave or staves of (a cask or barrel) so as to release the wine, liquor, or other contents.</li><li>to release (wine, liquor, etc.) by breaking the cask or barrel.</li><li>to break or crush (something) inward (often followed by in).</li><li>to break (a hole) in, especially in the hull of a boat.</li><li>to break to pieces; splinter; smash.</li><li>to furnish with a stave or staves.</li><li>to beat with a stave or staff.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to become staved in, as a boat; break in or up.</li><li>to move along rapidly.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb phrase</strong></p><ul><li>to put, ward, or keep off, as by force or evasion.</li><li>to prevent in time; forestall: He wasn't able to stave off bankruptcy.</li></ul>