General Definition:
* A group of lines in a poem, forming a unit and often having a particular rhyme scheme or metrical pattern.
More Specific Definitions:
* A distinct division of a poem, typically marked by a line break or indentation.
* A unit of a longer poem, similar to a paragraph in prose.
* A verse or section of a song, often repeated multiple times.
Examples:
* "Roses are red, violets are blue, / Sugar is sweet, and so are you." This is a two-line stanza.
* "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe is a poem divided into 18 stanzas, each with six lines.
* The chorus of a popular song is often a repeating stanza.
Key takeaway: A stanza is a building block of a poem, typically with a distinct structure and function.