stage
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.
Example
“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.”
Other meanings
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.”
A floor or storey of a house.
Example sentences
Word history
From Old French "ester" (to be standing, be located).
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “stage” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; example sentences are from Tatoeba, credited to their authors above, published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.