stance

noun

ˈstan(t)s 

1

chiefly Scotland

a

: station

b

: site

2

a

: a way of standing or being placed : posture

b

: intellectual or emotional attitude

took an antiwar stance

3

a

: the position of the feet of a golfer or batter preparatory to making a swing

b

: the position of both body and feet from which an athlete starts or operates

Synonyms

• posture
• attitude

Examples of stance in a Sentence

a slightly aggressive stance

Recent Examples on the Web

Since Kirk's death, there has been a debate in conservative circles about his relationship with and stance toward Israel's leaders. —Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025

This proactive stance allows leaders to maintain agency and control over their organization's culture-building journey, rather than being swept away by external forces. —Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

The court ruling, the NTP report and the wavering stance of federal agencies have empowered a backlash to fluoridation in state and local governments. —Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2025

While Robinson and Farage share many policy stances, the Reform UK leader has long tried to steer clear of entanglement with Robinson’s circles. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English stance, staunce, from Middle French estance position, posture, stay, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *stantia, from Latin stant-, stans, present participle of stare to stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing stance

• closed stance
• open stance

Rhymes for stance

• chance
• dance
• glance
• hance
• hanse
• lance
• manse
• prance
• trance
• advance
• askance
• enhance

Kids Definition

stance

noun

ˈstan(t)s 

1

: a way of standing or being placed : posture

a soldier with an erect stance

2

: a way of thinking or feeling

took an opposing stance on the issue