To crush or smash inward, typically referring to a hull, barrel, or hollow structure that collapses under impact
To smash something inward so that it breaks and caves in
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To crush or smash a hollow structure inward so that it collapses or breaks
"The collision with the rocks staved in the hull of the wooden boat."
"The side of the ship was staved in by the iceberg."
— Common description in accounts of the Titanic disaster, widely cited in historical records
To break inward under pressure or impact (intransitive)
"The old wooden door staved in when the firefighters applied pressure."
To force the staves (planks) of something inward — physically crushing the structure
To smash something inward so that it breaks and caves in
Primarily used in nautical and physical/structural contexts. 'Stave' originally referred to the wooden planks of a barrel. Commonly heard in descriptions of shipwrecks, accidents, or collisions. Rare in everyday conversation.
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