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

However, make your way to Albert Park, where the Australian GP is held, and you’ll be treated to detailed information on the track, grandstand, pedestrian bridge, and other vital details for fans attending the race. —Jerry Perez, The Drive, 26 Feb. 2026

At the bottom of the Olympia delle Tofane slope, in the grandstands about 2,000 feet below, there was nothing but a sickening silence after Vonn’s crash. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026

Verb

As a result, Congress spends more time grandstanding, fundraising, and protecting its own interests than solving real problems—and the American people see little improvement in their daily lives. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026

These grandstanding lone wolves often have a penchant for supervillain-style monologues, and are more traditionally associated with the Trek movies than the TV shows. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 13 Feb. 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