grandstand

noun grand·stand \ ˈgran(d)-ˌstand \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of grandstand

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

2 : audience

See grandstand defined for English-language learners

See grandstand defined for kids

Recent Examples of grandstand from the Web

District officials said defects in the current structure were discovered at the end of the 2017 football season when ceiling panels inside the grandstand were removed, allowing officials to see support structures that were compromised.

— gregory tejeda, Daily Southtown, "Roped off since fall, Eisenhower bleachers to be repaired ahead of next school year," 19 Apr. 2018
The buzz of activity at Lake Merced accelerated this week, with grandstands, scoreboards and tee signs suddenly sprouting.

— ron kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, "LPGA makes return to Lake Merced next week after a year away," 18 Apr. 2018
Will the Commonwealth Games continue to make a difference on the Gold Coast once the grandstands have been dismantled and the focused switched to Birmingham in 2022?

— aimee lewis, CNN, "Does the Commonwealth Games have a future?," 15 Apr. 2018
But as the ball disappeared into the cup at No. 16 and the gallery erupted with an ovation that shook a sturdy grandstand, Spieth did not react.

— bill pennington, New York Times, "Jordan Spieth Misses a Victory, but Gains Another Masters Memory," 8 Apr. 2018
Parking is free in designated lots near the grandstand and on The Hill, which is Keeneland’s official tailgate lot on Fridays and Saturdays (weather permitting).

— jason frakes, The Courier-Journal, "Keeneland's spring meet opens Friday. Here are 5 things to know before going to the track," 5 Apr. 2018
Though tickets, 6,518, were sold out weeks ago, the stands were only about half filled, many fans staying back in the grandstand to huddle for warmth or wait for coffee or hot chocolate.

— dom amore, courant.com, "Yard Goats Start Off Cold, Lose To New Hampshire, 6-0," 5 Apr. 2018
Other structures, like the outdated grandstands, could go to make way for new projects, Parrish said.

— lily altavena, azcentral, "Raze or renovate? Arizona State Fairgrounds faces uncertain future," 14 Mar. 2018
The work includes adding new grandstands, remodeling suites, improving the infield and moving the start-finish line to a location closer to the majority of the seats.

— mike hembree, USA TODAY, "Are bars and clubs in grandstands the next big thing at auto racing tracks?," 27 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grandstand.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of grandstand

1754

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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grandstand

adjective

Definition of grandstand

: done for show or to impress onlookers

See grandstand defined for English-language learners

Examples of grandstand in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of grandstand from the Web

Reserved grandstand seats start at $65 for a single-day adult ticket.

— christopher d thomas, Detroit Free Press, "Tickets on sale for 2018 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix," 17 Oct. 2017
St Patrick’s Day got out of the gate well in the 6-furlong race and was nicely positioned on the inside heading into the stretch when Zatter pulled up on the grandstand side and steadily pulled away to win by a length and a half.

— ivan carter, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Baffert finishes one-two again ... this time with maidens," 20 Aug. 2017
Grandstand events: Separate admission required for demolition derby and grandstand concerts, available at the box office.

— laura demarco, cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga County Fair: Vintage photos and guide to 121st fair, opening Monday," 3 Aug. 2017
The Toby Keith concert has already sold out its 8,900 tickets, Hannon added, but other grandstand events still have seats available.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Annual Porter County fair kicks off 10-day run," 20 July 2017

First Known Use of grandstand

1883

in the meaning defined above

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grandstand

verb

Definition of grandstand

intransitive verb

: to play or act so as to impress onlookers

—

grandstander

noun

See grandstand defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of grandstand from the Web

Or is California simply grandstanding by picking a fight with a president the state government despises?

— WSJ, "California: Get Serious on Immigration Law," 11 Apr. 2018
But knowing how the night really works, Kimmel spent little time reprimanding Hollywood or grandstanding about politics.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "Oscars 2018: Jimmy Kimmel is the chill, happy host the show needs," 4 Mar. 2018
Also in the works is a one-of-a-kind Wall of Honor to celebrate the track's winning drivers with banner signage at the bottom of the Wallace and Colvin grandstands on each side of the oval.

— USA TODAY, "Darlington Raceway spending nearly $7 million on grandstands," 31 Jan. 2018
That leaves an opportunity for one of the other four to grandstand by voting no and then playing to the press afterward.

— lauren ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Lake voters need to carefully look over proposal for extra 5-cent gas tax," 12 Feb. 2018
And they are treated as mentally imbalanced or grandstanding accusers.

— ann killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "In sexual-assault cases, believing is seeing," 29 Jan. 2018
Prosecutors, however, have asked the judge to bar Pawlowski from grandstanding on his record in office.

— Philly.com, "In Allentown, a mayor's federal corruption trial casts pall over revitalizing city," 15 Jan. 2018
In another room, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott accused Attorney General Curtis Hill of grandstanding on marijuana issues.

— kaitlin l lange, Indianapolis Star, "Why Indiana's upcoming legislative session could be a wild one," 14 Dec. 2017
This one will be too close for Dabo to call grandstanding timeouts in the final minutes.

— jay boozell, ajc, "Pat Forde ranks Clemson-South Carolina as top-5 rivalry game this weekend," 21 Nov. 2017

First Known Use of grandstand

1915

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

GRANDSTAND Defined for English Language Learners

grandstand

noun

Definition of grandstand for English Language Learners

: a usually roofed structure with seats for people to sit on while they are watching a race or sporting event

grandstand

adjective

Definition of grandstand for English Language Learners

: done in a way that is intended to impress the people who are watching

grandstand

verb

Definition of grandstand for English Language Learners

: to behave or speak in a way that is intended to impress people and to get public approval

GRANDSTAND Defined for Kids

grandstand

noun grand·stand \ ˈgrand-ˌstand , ˈgran- \

Definition of grandstand for Students

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

Learn More about grandstand

See words that rhyme with grandstand Spanish Central: Translation of grandstand Nglish: Translation of grandstand for Spanish speakers

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grandstand

Definition of grandstand

Recent Examples of grandstand from the Web

First Known Use of grandstand

grandstand

Definition of grandstand

Examples of grandstand in a Sentence

Recent Examples of grandstand from the Web

First Known Use of grandstand

grandstand

Definition of grandstand

grandstander

Recent Examples of grandstand from the Web

First Known Use of grandstand

GRANDSTAND Defined for English Language Learners

grandstand

Definition of grandstand for English Language Learners

grandstand

Definition of grandstand for English Language Learners

grandstand

Definition of grandstand for English Language Learners

GRANDSTAND Defined for Kids

grandstand

Definition of grandstand for Students

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