stay

Stay is a versatile term used in multiple senses in English. As a verb, it means to remain in a place or retain a particular state, and it can also mean to delay or suspend action, such as a plan or legal proceeding. In everyday language, phrases like stay put or stay the course illustrate its common usage.

As a noun, stay has several specialized meanings. A stay can be a rigid length of bone or rod in clothing, used to give garments such as corsets their shape and support. In nautical contexts, a stay is a rope or chain that helps support a ship’s mast or spars, keeping them upright. In architecture and construction, the term can refer to a support or brace in some contexts, though this usage is more specialized.

In law, a stay is an order that temporarily halts a court case, proceedings, or the enforcement of a judgment. Stay orders are issued to allow time for appeals, to preserve the status quo, or for other judicial reasons.

Culturally, the word appears as a title in various works. The 2005 film Stay, directed by Marc Forster, is a psychological thriller. In music, several songs are titled “Stay,” including Lisa Loeb’s 1994 hit “Stay (I Missed You)” and Rihanna’s 2013 duet “Stay” with Mikky Ekko. The recurring use of Stay across contexts reflects its common function as a concise expression of retention, pause, or continuation.