1
chiefly Scotland
a
b
: site
2
a
: a way of standing or being placed : posture
b
: intellectual or emotional attitude
took an antiwar stance
3
a
: the position of the feet of a golfer or batter preparatory to making a swing
b
: the position of both body and feet from which an athlete starts or operates

Examples of stance in a Sentence

a slightly aggressive stance
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.
Anti-roll hydraulics and a lower stance mean body control is iron-fisted, yet still supple enough to shrug off mid-corner bumps. Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2025 What is your stance on diversity, equity and inclusion programming in your district? Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025 Some might also be curious about the president's stance on the topic. Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Oct. 2025 Schumer insists his hard-line shutdown stance isn't driven by political calculations. Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stance

Word History

Etymology

Middle English stance, staunce, from Middle French estance position, posture, stay, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *stantia, from Latin stant-, stans, present participle of stare to stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stance was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stance. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

stance

noun
1
: a way of standing or being placed : posture
a soldier with an erect stance
2
: a way of thinking or feeling
took an opposing stance on the issue

More from Merriam-Webster on stance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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