<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>to spend some time in a place, in a situation, with a person or group, etc.: He stayed in the army for ten years.</li><li>to continue to be as specified, as to condition or state: to stay clean.</li><li>to hold out or endure, as in a contest or task (followed by with or at): Please stay with the project as long as you can.</li><li>to keep up, as with a competitor (followed by with).</li><li>to stop or halt.</li><li>to pause or wait, as for a moment, before proceeding or continuing; linger or tarry.</li><li>Archaic: to cease or desist.</li><li>Archaic: to stand firm.</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>the act of stopping or being stopped.</li><li>a stop, halt, or pause; a standstill.</li><li>a sojourn or temporary residence: a week's stay in Miami.</li><li>Law: a stoppage or arrest of action; suspension of a judicial proceeding: The governor granted a stay of execution.</li><li>Informal: staying power; endurance.</li></ul>