First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1stand
verb \ˈstand\
: to be in an upright position with all of your weight on your feet
: to move onto your feet from a sitting or low position
: to be in an upright position
stood \ˈstu̇d\ stand·ing
Full Definition of STAND
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>
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>
— stand·er noun
— stand a chance
: to have a chance
— 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
See stand defined for English-language learners
See stand defined for kids
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Origin of STAND
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
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
2stand
noun
: a strongly held opinion about something
: a strong effort to defend yourself or oppose something
: a partially enclosed structure where things are sold or displayed
Full Definition of STAND
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 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
: hive 2
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
See stand defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of STAND
1590
STAND[1] Defined for Kids
1stand
verb \ˈstand\
stood \ˈstu̇d\stand·ing
Definition of STAND for Kids
1
: to be in or take an upright position on the feet <Stand for the pledge.>
2
: to take up or stay in a specified position or condition <Stand aside.> <The judges stood firm.>
3
: to rest, remain, or set in a usually vertical position <A clock stands on the shelf.>
4
: to be in a specified place <Their house stands on the hill.>
5
: to put up with : endure <He can't stand pain.>
6
: to have an opinion <How do you stand on the issue?>
7
: to stay in effect <The order still stands.>
8
: undergo <stand trial>
9
: to perform the duty of <stand guard>
— stand by
1
: to be or remain loyal or true to <I stand by my promise.> <He stood by a friend.>
2
: to be present <We stood by and watched the fight.>
3
: to be or get ready to act <I'll stand by to help.>
— stand for
— stand out
: to be easily seen or recognized <Two members of the bodyguard did stand out from the others. — Judith Berry Griffin, Phoebe the Spy>
— stand up
1
: to stay in good condition <This type of watch stands up well under hard use.>
2
: to fail to keep an appointment with <You stood me up yesterday.>
— stand up for
: defend 2
— stand up to
: to face boldly
2stand
noun
Definition of STAND for Kids
1
: a structure containing rows of seats for spectators of a sport or spectacle
2
: a stall or booth often outdoors for a small business <a fruit stand>
3
: 1position 2 <They took a strong stand on the question.>
4
: a group of plants growing near one another <a stand of pine trees>
5
: an act of stopping or staying in one place
6
: a halt for defense or resistance <Villagers made a stand against the enemy.>
7
: a place or post which a person occupies : station <The witness took the stand.>
8
: a small structure (as a rack or table) on or in which something may be placed <an umbrella stand>
9
: a raised area (as for speakers or performers)
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