to spend some time in a place, in a situation, with a person or group, etc.

He stayed in the army for ten years.

to continue to be as specified, as to condition or state

to stay clean.

to hold out or endure, as in a contest or task (fol. by with or at )

Please stay with the project as long as you can.

to keep up, as with a competitor (fol. by with ).

Poker . to continue in a hand by matching an ante, bet, or raise.

to stop or halt.

to pause or wait, as for a moment, before proceeding or continuing; linger or tarry.

Archaic . to cease or desist.

Archaic . to stand firm.

to stop or halt.

to hold back, detain, or restrain, as from going further.

to suspend or delay (actions, proceedings, etc.).

to appease or satisfy temporarily the cravings of (the stomach, appetite, etc.).

to remain through or during (a period of time)

We stayed two days in San Francisco.

to remain to the end of; remain beyond (usually fol. by out ).

Archaic . to await.

the act of stopping or being stopped.

a stop, halt, or pause; a standstill.

a sojourn or temporary residence

a week's stay in Miami.

Law . a stoppage or arrest of action; suspension of a judicial proceeding

The governor granted a stay of execution.

Informal . staying power; endurance. ?

stay the course

to persevere; endure to completion.