From an apparently primary stepho (to twine or wreathe); a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, diadema), literally or figuratively -- crown.
see GREEK diadema
a. properly, as a mark of royal or (in general) exalted rank (such passages in the Sept. as 2 Samuel 12:30; 1 Chronicles 20:2; Psalm 20:4 b. metaphorically, α. the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ: ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος, the crown (wreath) which is the reward of righteousness, 2 Timothy 4:8; with an epexegetical genitive in the phrases λαμβάνεσθαι, διδόναι τόν στέφανον τῆς ζωῆς, equivalent to τήν ζωήν ὡς τόν στέφανον, James 1:12; Revelation 2:10; κομίζεσθαι τόν τῆς δόξης στέφανον, 1 Peter 5:4; λαβεῖν τόν στέφανον τίνος, to cause one to fail of the promised and hoped for prize, Revelation 3:11. β. that which is an ornament and honor to one: so of persons, Philippians 4:1; στέφανος καυχήσεως (see καύχησις, 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 16:31; Proverbs 17:6, etc.).