stave in
C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To smash something inward so that it breaks and caves in
Literal meaning: To force the staves (planks) of something inward — physically crushing the structure
Meanings
1 C1 neutral
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
Grammar: separable
2 C1 neutral
To break inward under pressure or impact (intransitive)
"The old wooden door staved in when the firefighters applied pressure."
Usage notes
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.
Commonly used with
hull barrel side wall boat chest door
Forms
Base
stave in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
staves in
he/she/it
Past simple
staved in
yesterday
Past participle
staved in
have + pp
-ing form
staving in
continuous
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Synonyms
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