stance

noun

ˈstan(t)s 

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

Synonyms of stance

• posture
• attitude

Examples of stance in a Sentence

a slightly aggressive stance

Recent Examples on the Web

Similarly, Georgia pushes back on debanking practices Georgia leaders have taken a proactive stance against financial discrimination. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Those facts show that Cunningham’s stance has increased her popularity with a segment of the public. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

The Destrier’s visual dynamism is also expressed in its dimensions and stance. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2026

Penn has been the most active and public in his pro-WGA stance, having previously served on the WGA West Board of Directors and the union’s Negotiating Committee. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026

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

Phrases Containing stance

• closed stance
• open stance

Rhymes for stance

• chance
• dance
• glance
• hance
• hanse
• lance
• manse
• prance
• trance
• advance
• askance
• enhance

Kids Definition

stance

noun

ˈstan(t)s 

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