stand

1 of 2

verb

stood ˈstu̇d How to pronounce stand (audio) ; standing

intransitive verb

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 an erect position
2
a
: to take up or maintain a specified position or posture
stand aside
can you stand on your head
b
: to maintain one's position
stand firm
3
: to be in a particular state or situation
stands accused
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
b
: to occupy a place or location
the house stands on a knoll
9
a
: to remain stationary or inactive
the car stood in the garage for a week
b
: to gather slowly and remain
tears standing in her eyes
10
: agree, accord
used chiefly in the expression it stands to reason
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
12
of a male animal : to be available as a sire
used especially of horses
13
: to refuse additional cards (as in blackjack)

transitive verb

1
a
: to endure or undergo successfully
this book will stand the test of time
b
: to tolerate without flinching : bear courageously
stands pain well
c
: to endure the presence or personality of
can't stand the boss
d
: to derive benefit or enjoyment from
you look like you could stand a drink
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
7
: to make available for breeding
stand a stallion
stander noun

stand

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a halt for defense or resistance
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
9
: a group of plants growing in a continuous area
10
: a standing posture
Phrases
stand a chance
: to have a chance
stand for
1
: to be a symbol for : represent
2
: to put up with : permit
stand on
1
: to depend on
2
: to insist on
never stands on ceremony
stand one's ground
: to maintain one's position
stand on one's own feet
: to think or act independently
stand tall
: to exhibit courage, strength, or calm especially in the face of adversity
stand treat
: to pay the cost of food, drink, or entertainment for others in a group
Choose the Right Synonym for stand

bear, suffer, endure, abide, tolerate, stand mean to put up with something trying or painful.

bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

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
Verb
The flooding in western North Carolina surpassed records that stood for more than a century. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2024 Like all food stands, bottled water ($2.99) and Pepsi soft drinks ($3.99) are also available. Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Noun
Nothing is prettier this time of year in Colorado than a stand of Aspen trees turning yellow all at once, like an entire matchbook on fire. John Frank, Axios, 29 Sep. 2024 Reviewing stands, a stage and sound systems need to be set up, port-a-potties need to be brought in, banners need to be produced, and both permits and insurance needs to be procured. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stand 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English standan; akin to Old High German stantan, stān to stand, Latin stare, Greek histanai to cause to stand, set, histasthai to stand, be standing

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stand was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stand

Cite this Entry

“Stand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stand. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

stand

1 of 2 verb
stood ˈstu̇d How to pronounce stand (audio) ; 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 noun
1
: 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

Legal Definition

stand

1 of 2 verb
stood; standing

intransitive verb

1
: to be in a particular state or situation
stand accused
2
: to remain valid or effective
let the ruling stand

transitive verb

: to submit to
stand trial

stand

2 of 2 noun
: the place taken by a witness for testifying in court
take the stand
compare bar, bench, dock, sidebar

More from Merriam-Webster on stand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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