What does staving mean?
Staving most often refers to postponing or preventing something troublesome, as in “staving off disaster” or “staving off a deadline.” It is particularly associated with the phrase “stave off,” meaning to hold back, delay, or avert an unwanted outcome. The expression can describe both practical measures, such as borrowing money to avoid a shutdown, and figurative efforts, such as using diplomacy to avert conflict. As a noun, staving usually appears in the form “staving off” or “the staving off of.” As a verb, it is the present participle of stave and is nearly always followed by “off” in modern usage. The word is understood in British and American English and carries a mildly formal or literary tone when used as a noun, while the verbal phrase is common in journalism, business, and everyday discussion.
The action of postponing, preventing, or averting something.
"The new agreement marked a successful staving off of further strikes."
Usually appears in the expression “staving off” or “the staving off of.”
Present participle of stave, meaning to delay, prevent, or avert something, especially in the phrase “staving off.”
"Emergency measures helped in staving off a wider outbreak."
In contemporary English, it is especially common with “off” and usually means to avert or postpone an unpleasant outcome.
Rare and usually unnecessary; the singular noun is commonly used with “staving off” or “the staving off of.”
"The repeated stavings of a decision brought criticism from the opposition."
To “stave off” trouble is to hold it back just long enough to prevent it from becoming overwhelming.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does staving come from?
The form belongs to the family of stave, which derives from Old English stæf, meaning a staff or pole. Staving developed as the present participle and gerund of that older verb. Its modern meaning involving delay and prevention comes from the idea of pushing something back or keeping it from reaching a person.
Related word forms
How staving is actually used
As a noun, staving is relatively uncommon and is most often seen in the fixed expression “the staving off of” something. As a verb form, it is especially common with “off.”
Easily confused with staving
Staving means postponing, preventing, or averting something, whereas staying means remaining in place or continuing to do something.