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

The international demolition derby is also popular, Casey said, which is at the grandstand stage at 5 p.m. Aug. 9 and 10. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025

The outfield wall is a democratic 200 feet from home, and only about 1,000 seats ring the grandstand, so every pop fly and parental gasp booms across Greenville’s humid twilight. —Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025

Verb

Typically, these stories initiate not with dazzling announcements or grandstanding, but rather with behavioral turning points. —Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

There will be grandstands down both the first- and third-base lines with broadcast booths, camera platforms, media positions and video replay included along with audio and video components. —Teresa M. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025

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