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

Robinson delivered his from a straight-up stance, producing something sharp and with less body movement. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Italian craftsmen spent about 30 months hand-forming the Elegante's aluminum body, while lowering the chassis by eight inches to give the car its rakish stance. — New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026

Continue reading … DAYTIME SHOWDOWN — Ted Cruz takes on 'The View' in debate on Clarence Thomas' affirmative action stance. — FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Mounting household debt is testing President Javier Milei’s support ahead of the 2027 election, as Congress weighs relief measures and critics warn his hands-off stance could alienate once-enthusiastic young voters. — Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 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