grandstand

1 of 3

noun

grand·​stand ˈgran(d)-ˌstand How to pronounce grandstand (audio)
1
: a usually roofed stand for spectators at a racecourse or stadium
2

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The hills of Bethpage State Park create miniature valleys and canyons throughout the property, and in turn, the grandstands from the 15th to 17th holes create an amphitheater of chaos encircled by huge video boards. Brody Miller, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Security screening procedures ramped up, including airport-like security to enter some areas around the clubhouse, the grandstand around the first tee and other points around the course. Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Ghaywan’s script is explicit but never priggish in its moral standing, letting the outstanding performances drive home the perils of bigotry more than any grandstanding dialogue. Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2025 Using local law enforcement as a punching bag to grandstand against the federal government should not be an acceptable practice from our state leaders. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grandstand

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of grandstand was in 1754

Cite this Entry

“Grandstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grandstand. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

grandstand

noun
grand·​stand
-ˌstand
: a usually roofed stand for spectators at a racecourse or stadium

More from Merriam-Webster on grandstand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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