stance

noun \ ˈstan(t)s \

|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Definition of stance

1 chiefly Scotland

a : station

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

See stance defined for English-language learners

See stance defined for kids

Recent Examples of stance from the Web

The company chair, Henry Clay Frick, took a hard stance, threatening to cut wages.

— jonathan schifman, Popular Mechanics, "The Entire History of Steel," 9 July 2018
The candidates have all promised to take a hard stance on Trump’s aggressive politics, while still working closely with the US to promote economic growth.

— madeleine ngo, Vox, "The 2018 Mexican election, explained," 30 June 2018
However, the company took a harder stance Wednesday, writing to Yahoo!

— anne branigin, The Root, "When Caucasity Costs You Your Coin: #PoolPatrolPaula Fired After Harassing Black Teens at Public Pool," 29 June 2018
Take a hip-width stance with your arms at a 90-degree position, and engage your abdominals.

— jason wanlass, idahostatesman, "Embrace the benefits of resistance tubing for a well-rounded workout," 22 June 2018
Krzanich’s departure underlined how major corporations are taking a stricter stance toward office romances involving executives rather than merely discouraging them.

— james f. peltz, latimes.com, "Intel CEO Brian Krzanich resigns over relationship with employee," 21 June 2018
The council spent two years reviewing resolutions, not so much on whether to support the practice but on whether to take a neutral stance on what has become a divisive issue among health-care providers.

— author: lindsey bever, Anchorage Daily News, "American Medical Association to keep reviewing its opposition to assisted death," 12 June 2018
Gillum also appeared to take a softer stance on sugar corporations as the other candidates eagerly made Big Sugar a foil, pointing out that tends of thousands of families rely on the industry for work.

— david smiley, miamiherald, "Democrats play nice, display platforms in second gubernatorial debate in three nights," 11 June 2018
Trump on Friday also reiterated his plans to take a tough stance on trade with U.S. allies at the summit, threatening again to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "Trump calls for Russia's re-entry to G-7, threatens allies on trade," 8 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of stance

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year