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stand definition

stand (stand)

intransitive verb stood, standing stand′·ing

    1. to be or remain in a generally upright position, supported on the feet (or foot)
    2. to be or remain in an upright position, supported on its base, bottom, pedestal, etc.: said of physical objects
    3. to grow upright or erect: said of plants
  2. to rise to an upright position, as from a sitting, lying, or crouching position
    1. to take, move into, or be in a (specified) upright position stand straight!
    2. to take, maintain, or be in a (specified) position, attitude, or course, as of support, antagonism, responsibility, sponsorship, etc. to stand opposed to an act
  4. to have a (specified) height when standing he stands six feet
  5. to point: said of a dog
    1. to be placed; be situated
    2. to remain where situated, built, etc.
  7. to gather and remain: said of a liquid sweat stood on his brow
    1. to remain unchanged, intact, effective, or valid the law still stands
    2. to be or remain in a printed or written form
  9. to be in a (specified) condition, relation, or circumstance: used with a phrase, infinitive, or adverb they stood in awe, he stands to lose ten dollars
  10. to be of a (specified) rank, degree, or the like to stand first in one's class
  11. to maintain one's opinion, viewpoint, adherence, etc.; remain resolute or firm
  12. to make resistance, as to hostile action
    1. to come to a stop; halt
    2. to be or remain stationary
  14. to show the (specified) relative position of those involved the score stands at 28 to 20
  15. ☆ to be available for breeding: said of a stallion
  16. Chiefly Brit. to be a candidate, as for an office; run
  17. Naut. to take or hold a course a ship standing out of the harbor
  18. Printing to remain set: said of type or printed matter

Etymology: ME standen < OE standan; akin to MDu standen, Goth standan < IE base *stā-, to stand, be placed > L stare, to stand, Gr histanai, to set, cause to stand

transitive verb

  1. to make stand; set or place upright
  2. to go on enduring; put up with; bear; tolerate to stand pain
  3. to remain uninjured or unaffected by; withstand stood the trip quite well
  4. to be subjected to; undergo to stand trial
  5. to do the duty of to stand watch
  6. Informal
    1. to bear the cost of (a dinner, etc.) as when treating
    2. to treat (a person) to food, drink, etc.
  7. Mil. to stand in formation at (reveille, retreat, etc.)

noun

  1. the act or position of standing (in various senses); esp., a stopping; halt or stop; specif.,
    1. a stopping to counterattack, resist, etc., as in a retreat
    2. ☆ a halt made by a touring theatrical company to give a performance; also, the place stopped at
  2. the place where a person stands or is supposed to stand; position; station to take one's stand at the rear
  3. a view, opinion, or position, as on an issue to make one's stand clear
  4. a structure for a person or persons to stand or sit on, or to stand at; specif.,
    1. a raised platform, as for a band or for spectators along a parade route
    2. a set of steplike tiers of benches, as for the spectators at a ballgame
    3. the place where a witness testifies in a courtroom
    4. a lectern, pulpit, reading desk, etc.
  5. ☆ a place of business; specif.,
    1. a booth, stall, etc. where goods are sold
    2. a parking space along the side of a street, reserved as for taxicabs
    3. a business site or location
  6. a rack, small table, etc. for holding something a music stand
  7. ☆ a growth of trees or plants
  8. Now Dial. a group, set, etc.

Etymology: OE stand < standan, to stand

Related Forms:

stand Idioms

make a stand

  1. to take a position for defense or opposition
  2. to support a definite position, opinion, etc.
  3. to come to a stop

stand a chance

to have a chance (of winning, surviving, etc.)

stand by

    1. to be near and ready to act if or when needed
    2. to wait to go aboard
  2. to aid or support
    1. to make good (a promise, etc.)
    2. to maintain (a policy)
  4. to be near or present, esp. in a passive manner or as a mere onlooker
  5. Radio, TV to remain tuned in, as for continuance of a program, or to remain ready to transmit without actually doing so

stand down

  1. Law to leave the witness stand, as after testifying
  2. to withdraw from a post, position, confrontation, etc.
  3. Chiefly Brit. to withdraw one's candidacy for a public office
  4. Mil. Slang to deactivate () or be deactivated

stand for

  1. to be a symbol for or sign of; represent; mean
  2. ☆ Informal to put up with; endure; tolerate

stand in

☆ Informal to be on good terms; be friendly: usually followed by with

stand in for

to substitute for

stand off

  1. to keep at a distance
  2. ☆ to put off, stave off, or evade (a creditor or assailant)
  3. Naut. to take or hold a course away from shore

stand on

  1. to be based or founded upon; depend on
  2. to insist upon; demand due observance of (ceremony, one's dignity or rights, etc.)
  3. Naut. to hold the same course or tack

stand out

  1. to stick out; project
  2. to show up clearly; be distinct in appearance
  3. to be prominent, notable, or outstanding; have distinction
  4. to refuse to give in; be firm in resistance
  5. Naut. to take or hold a course away from shore

stand over

  1. to hover over (someone)
  2. to postpone or be postponed; hold over

stand up

  1. to rise to or be in a standing position
  2. to prove valid, satisfactory, durable, etc.
  3. ☆ Slang to fail to keep an engagement with

stand up for

to take the side of; defend; support

stand up to

to confront fearlessly; refuse to be intimidated by

stand up with

to act as a wedding attendant to

take the stand

☆
to sit (or stand) in the designated place in a courtroom and give testimony

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