Real Dictionary

stay
verb: If you stay where you are, you continue to be there and do not leave.

stay in American English 1
to continue in the place or condition specified; remain; keep
intransitive verb: to spend some time in a place, in a situation, with a person or group, etc.
transitive verb: to stop or halt

stay in American English 2
anything used as a support, or prop
to support, or prop up
noun: something used to support or steady a thing; prop; brace

stay in American English 3
a heavy rope or cable, usually of wire, used as a brace or support, as for a mast of a ship; guy
to brace or support with a stay or stays
noun: any of various strong ropes or wires for steadying masts, funnels, etc

stay in British English 1
verb: to continue or remain in a certain place, position, etc

stay in British English 2
to prop or hold
noun: anything that supports or steadies, such as a prop or buttress

stay in British English 3
noun: a rope, cable, or chain, usually one of a set, used for bracing uprights, such as masts, funnels, flagpoles, chimneys, etc; guy