stages

Noun

stage (plural stages)

1. A phase.
   • He is in the recovery stage of his illness.

   Synonyms:

   tier, level, lap

2. (broadly) One of the portions of a device (such as a rocket or thermonuclear weapon) which are used or activated in a particular order, one after another.
   • The first stage of the launcher burned out and separated after successfully boosting the payload onto a suborbital trajectory, but the engine of the upper stage failed to ignite to place the satellite into orbit.
3. A platform; a surface, generally elevated, upon which show performances or other public events are given.
   • The band returned to the stage to play an encore.
4. A floor or storey of a house.
5. A floor elevated for the convenience of mechanical work, etc.; scaffolding; staging.
6. A platform, often floating, serving as a kind of wharf.

See all 28 meanings of stage