stood
ˈstu̇d 
; standing
; standing
1
a
: to support oneself on the feet in an erect position
was standing by the door
All the seats were taken so we had to stand.
Everyone was just standing around [=standing without doing anything] waiting for the stadium to open.
b
: to be a specified height when fully erect
stands six feet two
c
: to rise to an erect position
stand for the national anthem
2
a
: to take up or maintain a specified position or posture
A mansion stands on the hill.
can you stand on your head
—often used figurativelyA single putt stands between her and the title. [=if she makes the putt, she will win the title]
We won't stand in your way. [=won't try to stop you]
Nothing will stand in the way of our happiness. [=prevent us from being happy]
b
: to maintain one's position
stand firm
3
: to be in a particular state or situation
Where do we stand financially?
He stands accused of the crime.
She stands alone in her opposition to the proposal. [=she is the only one who opposes the proposal]
4
: to hold a course at sea
5
obsolete
: hesitate
6
a
: to have or maintain a relative position in or as if in a graded scale
stands first in the class
b
: to be in a position to gain or lose because of an action taken or a commitment made
stands to make quite a profit
7
chiefly British
: to be a candidate : run
8
a
: to rest or remain upright on a base or lower end
A clock stood on the mantle.
Two bowling pins were left standing.
b
: to occupy a place or location
The house stands on a knoll.
9
a
: to remain stationary or inactive
stood still
The car stood in the garage for a week.
b
: to gather slowly and remain
tears standing in her eyes
11
a
: to exist in a definite written or printed form
copy a passage exactly as it stands
b
: to remain valid or efficacious
The order given last week still stands.
c
: to exist at the present time
Here's how things stand.
Take or leave the offer as it stands.
12
: to have a particular belief or opinion
How do you stand on the issue?
We ask you to stand with us.
13
of a male animal
: to be available as a sire
—used especially of horses
14
: to refuse additional cards (as in blackjack)
1
a
: to endure or undergo successfully
These plants can stand dry conditions.
This book will stand the test of time. [=will be read by many people for a long time]
b
: to tolerate without complaint : bear courageously
Can you stand to wait another minute?
couldn't stand the pain
His behavior was more than I could stand.
I can't stand the thought/idea of moving again. [=I dislike the thought/idea of moving again very much]
c
—used to say that someone strongly dislikes a person or thing
I can't stand the boss.
I can't stand doing dishes.
d
: to derive benefit or enjoyment from
You look like you could stand a vacation.
The tree could stand to be trimmed.
2
: to remain firm in the face of
stand a siege
3
: to submit to
stand trial
4
a
: to perform the duty of
stand guard
b
: to participate in (a military formation)
5
: to pay the cost of (a treat) : pay for
I'll stand you a dinner.
stand drinks
6
: to cause to stand : set upright
stood the ladder against the house
7
: to make available for breeding
stand a stallion
stander
noun
1
a
: a halt for defense or resistance
made a stand against the enemy
b
: an often defensive effort of some duration or degree of success
a goal-line stand
c(1)
: a stop made to give a performance
a 6-game stand at home
(2)
: a town where such a stop is made
2
: an act of stopping or staying in one place
3
a
: a place or post where one stands
b
: a strongly or aggressively held position especially on a debatable issue
took a stand against higher taxes
4
a
: the place taken by a witness for testifying in court
b
stands plural
(1)
: a section of the tiered seats for spectators of a sport or spectacle
(2)
: the occupants of such seats
c
: a raised platform (as for a speaker or hunter) serving as a point of vantage
5
a
: a small often open-air structure for a small retail business
a vegetable stand
a hot dog stand
b
: a site fit for business opportunity
6
: a place where a passenger vehicle stops or parks
a taxi stand
7
8
: a frame on or in which something may be placed for support
a bike stand
9
: a group of plants growing in a continuous area
a stand of oak
10
: a standing posture
stand between
3 of 3phrase
: to be in place or position between (two things)
A row of trees stands between the two houses.
—often used figurativelyA single putt is the only thing standing between her and the title. If she makes it, she wins.
Examples of stand in a Sentence
Verb
She was standing near the window.
He was standing next to me.
All of the seats on the bus were taken so we had to stand.
He can stand using a cane.
He was standing in a puddle of water.
The deer stood still, listening for danger.
We had to stand in line for over an hour.
Two bowling pins were left standing.
A shovel and rake stood in the corner.
She stood the ladder against the house.
Noun
The team insured their victory with an impressive goal-line stand.
The army is preparing to make a stand against the enemy.
students making a stand against the war
We have display stands in many bookstores.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 June 2026
White, who was taken into custody by federal agents, was later found incompetent to stand trial on hijacking and murder charges.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 12 June 2026
The route to the public park beyond is wide, and the lush green baseball field, next to woodlands, is complete with a batting cage, fences, and stands.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stand
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.
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Verb
Supporting drama actor stands at 228, roughly level with last year’s 233 yet down from a record 436 in 2022 — meaning, a loss of more than 200 submissions in four years.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 June 2026
White, who was taken into custody by federal agents, was later found incompetent to stand trial on hijacking and murder charges.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Noun
The South Boston community is taking a stand and rallying around two children after an armed robbery at their lemonade stand Wednesday afternoon.
—Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 12 June 2026
The route to the public park beyond is wide, and the lush green baseball field, next to woodlands, is complete with a batting cage, fences, and stands.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stand
Cite this Entry
“Stand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stand. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stand
1 of 2 verb
stood
ˈstu̇d
; standing
; standing
1
a
: to support oneself on the feet in an erect position
b
: to be a specified height when fully erect
stands six feet two
c
: to rise to one's feet
2
: to take up and keep a usually specified position or attitude
stand aside
can you stand on your head
where do we stand on this question
3
: to be in a particular state or situation
stands accused
4
chiefly British
: to be a candidate : run
5
a
: to have a relative position in or as if in a scale
stands first in the class
b
: to be in a position to gain or lose
stands to make a profit
6
a
: to rest, remain, or set upright on a base or lower end
a ladder standing against a wall
b
: to occupy a place or location
a house standing on a hill
7
a
: to remain without moving
rainwater standing in stagnant pools
b
: to remain in effect
the order stands
8
: to exist in a certain form
you must take or leave our offer as it stands
9
a
: to put up with or resist successfully : bear
stand pain
the building stood the pressure of the storm
this book will stand the test of time
b
: to derive benefit or enjoyment from
you look like you could stand some sleep
c
: to go through the experience of
stand trial
10
: to perform the duty of
stand guard
11
: to pay for
I'll stand dinner
12
: to cause to stand : set upright
stander
noun
stand
2 of 2 noun1
: an act or instance of stopping or staying in one place
2
a
: a halt for defense or resistance
b
: a stop made to give a performance
was booked for a three-night stand
3
a
: a place or post where one stands
b
: a position especially with respect to an issue
took a stand against higher taxes
4
a
: the place occupied by a witness testifying in court
b
: a row of seats for spectators of an outdoor sport or spectacle
c
: a raised platform (as for a speaker)
5
: a small often open-air structure for a small retail business
a hot-dog stand
6
: a support (as a rack or table) on or in which something may be placed
umbrella stands
a bicycle stand
7
: a group of plants growing in a continuous area
a good stand of wheat
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