stand-in

1 of 2

noun

1
: someone employed to occupy an actor's place while lights and camera are readied
2

stand in

2 of 2

verb

stood in; standing in; stands in

intransitive verb

: to act as a stand-in
Phrases
stand in with
: to be in a specially favored position with

Examples of stand-in in a Sentence

Noun hired him at the last minute as a stand-in for the person who quit Verb she will be standing in for the regular teacher for a week
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
Posting on social media from Saudi Arabia, the day before arriving in Qatar, Trump again painted this astoundingly inappropriate gift as a cost-saving measure going to America’s Department of Defense, which will use it as a stand-in for Air Force One. Plenty of problems with all that. Chris Brennan, USA Today, 16 May 2025 So, in 2023, HBO Max lost half its name, leaving the minimalist Max as mute stand-in for one of television’s most storied brands. David Bloom, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
Over the next few minutes, Burton offered both celebration and challenge, calling on graduates to honor their gifts, stand in their truth and remain unshaken by fear. Oumou Fofana, Essence, 12 May 2025 In the throwback photo, Porter could be seen resting her pregnant belly on a chair, standing in front of a Christmas tree and smiling for the camera. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for stand-in

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stand-in was in 1904

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Stand-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stand-in. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

stand-in

1 of 2 noun
ˈstan-ˌdin
1
: someone employed to occupy an actor's place while lights and camera are readied
2

stand in

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)stan-ˈdin
: to act as a stand-in
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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