grandstand

1 of 3

noun

grand·​stand ˈgran(d)-ˌstand 

1

: a usually roofed stand for spectators at a racecourse or stadium

2

: audience

grandstand

2 of 3

adjective

: done for show or to impress onlookers

grandstand

3 of 3

verb

grandstanded; grandstanding; grandstands

intransitive verb

: to play or act so as to impress onlookers

Examples of grandstand in a Sentence

Adjective

The outfielder made a grandstand play out of what should have been a routine catch.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 1978, Hawthorne’s grandstand burned down from arson, though no one was ever charged. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

Harper oversaw the reconstruction of the Del Mar grandstand between 1990 and 1992, the birth of the Grade I Pacific Classic in 1991 and the track becoming a recurring site for the Breeders’ Cup starting in 2017. — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2026

Verb

And then grandstanding politicians decided to get involved. — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Keeping fans cool When Levi’s Stadium first opened in 2014 as the new 49ers home venue, a lot was made of the sun scorching the eastern grandstands where the majority of seats are. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1754, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1883, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1915, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grandstand

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand

Kids Definition

grandstand

noun

grand·​stand

-ˌstand

: a usually roofed stand for spectators at a racecourse or stadium