stand

UK: /ˈstænd/ US: /stænd/ ,(stand)

Inflections of 'stand' (n):

stands

npl (All usages)

stand

npl (For the metallurgy sense only)

Inflections of 'stand' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

stands

v 3rd person singular

standing

v pres p

stood

v past

stood

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

stand /stænd/   v., stood/stʊd/  stand•ing, n. 
v. 

1. to be in an upright position on the feet:
   [no object] standing by the door when I came in.
2. to (cause someone to) rise to one's feet: [no object; ~ (+ up)]
   We stood (up) when the president entered the room.
   [~ + object + up]
   stood the toddler back up after she fell.
3. to have a certain height when in this position:
   [not: be + -ing* ~ + a noun showing measurement] He stands six feet tall.
4. to remain the same, esp. unused:
   [no object] The bicycle has stood in the garage all winter.
5. to take a position as indicated:
   [no object] to stand aside.
6. (of things) to (cause to) rest in an upright position: [no object]
   The broom stood in the corner.
   [~ + object]
   He stood the broom in the corner.
7. to be located or situated:
   [no object] The building stands upon the hill.
8. (of a score, etc.) to remain as indicated:
   [usually: not: be + ~-ing* ~ (+ at) + a noun indicating number or amount] The score stands (at) 18 to 14.
9. to continue in force;
   remain valid:
   [no object] My offer still stands.
10. to be or remain in a specified state or condition: [no object]
    Where do I stand in the competition?
    [~ + adjective]
    I stand corrected.
    [~ + to + verb]
    He stands to gain quite a lot from his wife's death.
11. British Terms [Chiefly Brit.] to be a candidate, as for public office:
    [~ + for + object] to stand for Parliament.
12. to submit to;
    be forced to go through:
    [~ + object] to stand trial for murder.
13. to be able to tolerate;
    resist;
    endure:
    [~ + object] My eyes can't stand the glare.
14. to perform one's job or duty as:
    [~ + object] to stand watch aboard ship; He stood guard over the prisoners.
15. stand by:
    • [~ + by + object] to uphold;
      support:
      Stand by your parents in their time of need.
    • [~ + by + object] to remain firm about (something);
      be loyal to:
      I stand by my original statement.
    • [no object] to wait, esp. in anticipation:
      Please stand by, we're having technical difficulties.
    • [no object] to be ready to board (an airplane, etc.) as an alternate passenger.
16. stand down, [no object]
    • Law to leave the witness stand:
      The judge told the witness to stand down.
    • to step aside, as from a competition.
17. stand for, [~ + for + object]
    • [not: be + ~-ing] to represent;
      symbolize:
      P.S. stands for "postscript.''
    • to advocate;
      favor:
      The candidate says she stands for more aid to education.
    • [with negative words or phrases] to tolerate;
      allow;
      accept or put up with:
      "I won't stand for any nonsense,'' the teacher said.
18. stand in, [no object*  (~ + in + for + object) ] to be a substitute (for):
    No, I'm not the supervisor, I'm just standing in (for her) until she comes back.
19. stand off:
    • [no object] to keep or stay at a distance:
      The planes stood off and circled overhead.
    • to repel or evade: [~ + off + object]
      Our troops stood off the latest assault.
      [~ + object + off]
      As for their army, our troops stood them off last time, too.
20. stand on, [~ + on + object] to be based on;
    depend on;
    rest on:
    The house stood on sand.
21. stand out, [no object]
    • to stick out past something:
      The pier stands out from the harbor walls.
    • to be noticed easily, on account of fame, etc.:
      She stands out in a crowd.
22. stand up:
    • [no object] to be or remain convincing:
      That evidence won't stand up in court.
    • [no object] to last long;
      be durable:
      Wool stands up better than silk.
    • to fail to keep an appointment with: [~ + up + object]
      She stood up several of my friends.
      [~ + object + up]
      She stood him up on their last two dates.
23. stand up for, [~ + up + for + object]
    • to defend;
      support:
      You have to stand up for your children.
24. stand up to, [~ + up + to + object] to meet (danger, difficulty, etc.) without fear;
    confront:
    If you stand up to that bully, he'll back down.

n. [countable]

25. the act of standing.
26. a halt or stop.
27. a final defensive effort:
    Custer's last stand.
28. a policy, position, opinion, etc., with respect to a (usually controversial) issue:
    We must take a stand on sex education.
29. Law witness stand:
    Before you take the stand I must remind you that you are still under oath.
30. a raised platform, as for a speaker, a band, etc.
31. stands, [plural] a raised section of seats for spectators;
    grandstand.
32. a framework on or in which articles are placed for storing, support, or display:
    an umbrella stand.
33. a stall, booth, or the like where articles are displayed for sale:
    a fruit stand.
34. a place to wait for taxis:
    a taxi stand.
35. a stop on the tour of a theater company, a rock group, etc., esp. for a single performance:
    a one-night stand in the small university town.

Idioms

36. Idioms stand to reason, [not: be + ~-ing* it + ~ + to reason] to be logical or reasonable:
    It stands to reason that he'll choose her; he always makes the right choice.

stand•er, n. [countable] See -stan-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

stand (stand),  v., stood, stand•ing, n., pl. stands for 43–63, stands, stand for 64.

v.i. 

1. (of a person) to be in an upright position on the feet.
2. to rise to one's feet (often fol. by up).
3. to have a specified height when in this position:
   a basketball player who stands six feet seven inches.
4. to stop or remain motionless or steady on the feet.
5. to take a position or place as indicated:
   to stand aside.
6. to remain firm or steadfast, as in a cause.
7. to take up or maintain a position or attitude with respect to a person, issue, or the like:
   to stand as sponsor for a person.
8. to have or adopt a certain policy, course, or attitude, as of adherence, support, opposition, or resistance:
   He stands for free trade.
9. (of things) to be in an upright or vertical position, be set on end, or rest on or as on a support.
10. to be set, placed, fixed, located, or situated:
    The building stands at 34th Street and 5th Avenue.
11. (of an account, score, etc.) to show, be, or remain as indicated;
    show the specified position of the parties concerned:
    The score stood 18 to 14 at the half.
12. to remain erect or whole;
    resist change, decay, or destruction (often fol. by up):
    The ruins still stand. The old building stood up well.
13. to continue in force or remain valid:
    The agreement stands as signed.
14. to remain still, stationary, or unused:
    The bicycle stood in the basement all winter.
15. to be or become stagnant, as water.
16. (of persons or things) to be or remain in a specified state, condition, relation, relative position, etc.:
    He stood in jeopardy of losing his license.
17. to have the possibility or likelihood:
    He stands to gain a sizable profit through the sale of the house.
18. British Terms [Chiefly Brit.] to become or be a candidate, as for public office (usually fol. by for).
19. Naval Terms [Naut.]
    • , Nautical, Naval Terms to take or hold a particular course at sea.
    • , Nautical, Naval Terms to move in a certain direction:
      to stand offshore.
20. Animal Husbandry (of a male domestic animal, esp. a stud) to be available as a sire, usually for a fee:
    Three Derby winners are now standing in Kentucky.

v.t. 

21. to cause to stand;
    set upright;
    set:
    Stand the chair by the lamp.
22. to face or encounter:
    to stand an assault.
23. to undergo or submit to:
    to stand trial.
24. to endure or undergo without harm or damage or without giving way:
    His eyes are strong enough to stand the glare.
25. British Terms to endure or tolerate:
    She can't stand her father.
26. to treat or pay for:
    I'll stand you to a drink when the manuscript is in.
27. to perform the duty of or participate in as part of one's job or duty:
    to stand watch aboard ship.
28. stand a chance or show, to have a chance or possibility, esp. of winning or surviving:
    He's a good shortstop but doesn't stand a chance of making the major leagues because he can't hit.
29. stand by:
    • to uphold;
      support:
      She stood by him whenever he was in trouble.
    • to adhere to (an agreement, promise, etc.);
      affirm:
      She stood by her decision despite her sister's arguments.
    • to stand ready;
      wait:
      Please stand by while I fix this antenna.
    • to get ready to speak, act, etc., as at the beginning of a radio or television program.
    • to be ready to board a plane, train, or other transport if accommodations become available at the last minute.
30. stand down:
    • Law to leave the witness stand.
    • to step aside;
      withdraw, as from a competition:
      I agreed to stand down so that she could run for the nomination unopposed.
    • to leave or take out of active work or service:
      to stand down some of the ships in the fleet.
31. stand for:
    • to represent;
      symbolize:
      P.S. stands for "postscript.''
    • to advocate;
      favor:
      He stands for both freedom and justice.
    • [Informal.] to tolerate;
      allow:
      I won't stand for any nonsense!
32. stand in with:
    • to be in association or conspiracy with.
    • to enjoy the favor of;
      be on friendly terms with.
33. stand off:
    • to keep or stay at a distance.
    • to put off;
      evade.
34. stand on:
    • to depend on;
      rest on:
      The case stands on his testimony.
    • to be particular about;
      demand:
      to stand on ceremony.
    • Naval Terms [Naut.] to maintain a course and speed.
35. stand out:
    • to project;
      protrude:
      The piers stand out from the harbor wall.
    • to be conspicuous or prominent:
      She stands out in a crowd.
    • to persist in opposition or resistance;
      be inflexible.
    • Naval Terms [Naut.] to maintain a course away from shore.
36. stand over:
    • to supervise very closely;
      watch constantly:
      He won't work unless someone stands over him.
    • to put aside temporarily;
      postpone:
      to let a project stand over until the following year.
37. Games stand pat. See pat ² (def. 6).
38. stand to:
    • to continue to hold;
      persist in:
      to stand to one's statement.
    • to keep at steadily:
      Stand to your rowing, men!
    • to wait in readiness;
      stand by:
      Stand to for action.
39. stand to reason. See reason (def. 11).
40. stand up:
    • to come to or remain in a standing position:
      to stand up when being introduced.
    • to remain strong, convincing, or durable:
      The case will never stand up in court. Wool stands up better than silk.
    • [Slang.] to fail to keep an appointment with (someone, esp. a sweetheart or date):
      I waited for Kim for an hour before I realized I'd been stood up.
41. stand up for:
    • to defend the cause of;
      support:
      No one could understand why he stood up for an incorrigible criminal.
    • to serve a bridegroom or bride, as best man or maid (matron) of honor.
42. stand up to, to meet or deal with fearlessly;
    confront:
    to stand up to a bully.

n. 

43. the act of standing;
    an assuming of or a remaining in an upright position.
44. a cessation of motion;
    halt or stop.
45. a determined effort for or against something, esp. a final defensive effort:
    Custer's last stand.
46. a determined policy, position, attitude, etc., taken or maintained:
    We must take a stand on political issues.
47. the place in which a person or thing stands;
    station.
48. Law See witness stand. 
49. a raised platform, as for a speaker, a band, or the like.
50. stands, a raised section of seats for spectators;
    grandstand.
51. a framework on or in which articles are placed for support, exhibition, etc.:
    a hat stand.
52. Furniture a piece of furniture of various forms, on or in which to put articles (often used in combination):
    a nightstand; a washstand.
53. Furniture a small, light table.
54. a stall, booth, counter, or the like, where articles are displayed for sale or where some business is carried on:
    a fruit stand.
55. newsstand:
    The papers usually hit the stands at 5
    a.m.
56. a site or location for business:
    After 20 years the ice-cream vendor was still at the same stand.
57. a place or station occupied by vehicles available for hire:
    a taxicab stand.
58. the vehicles occupying such a place.
59. Botany the growing trees, or those of a particular species or grade, in a given area.
60. Botany a standing growth, as of grass, wheat, etc.
61. a halt of a theatrical company on tour, to give a performance or performances:
    a series of one-night stands on the strawhat trail.
62. the town at which a touring theatrical company gives a performance.
63. hive (def. 2).
64. Metallurgy a rolling unit in a rolling mill.
65. Military [Chiefly Brit.] a complete set of arms or accoutrements for one soldier.
66. Law take the stand, to testify in a courtroom.

• bef. 900; Middle English standen (verb, verbal), Old English standan; cognate with Old Saxon standan, Middle Dutch standen, Old High German stantan, standa, standan; akin to Latin stāre to stand, sistere, Greek histánai to make stand, Sanskrit sthā to stand, Old Irish at-tá (he) is

Synonyms

• 25. abide, stomach. See bear ¹.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

stand / stænd/ verb (stands, standing, stood)(mainly intr)

1. (also tr) to be or cause to be in an erect or upright position
2. to rise to, assume, or maintain an upright position
3. (copula) to have a specified height when standing: to stand six feet
4. to be situated or located: the house stands in the square
5. to be or exist in a specified state or condition: to stand in awe of someone
6. to adopt or remain in a resolute position or attitude
7. (may take an infinitive) to be in a specified position: I stand to lose money in this venture, he stands high in the president's favour
8. to remain in force or continue in effect: whatever the difficulties, my orders stand
9. to come to a stop or halt, esp temporarily
10. (of water, etc) to collect and remain without flowing
11. (often followed by at) (of a score, account, etc) to indicate the specified position of the parties involved: the score stands at 20 to 1
12. (also tr; when intr, followed by for) to tolerate or bear: I won't stand for your nonsense any longer, I can't stand spiders
13. (transitive) to resist; survive: to stand the test of time
14. (transitive) to submit to: to stand trial
15. (often followed by for) to be or become a candidate: will he stand for Parliament?
16. to navigate in a specified direction: we were standing for Madeira when the storm broke
17. (of a gun dog) to point at game
18. to halt, esp to give action, repel attack, or disrupt an enemy advance when retreating
19. (transitive) to bear the cost of; pay for: to stand someone a drink
20. stand a chance ⇒ to have a hope or likelihood of winning, succeeding, etc
21. stand fast ⇒ to maintain one's position firmly
22. stand one's ground ⇒ to maintain a stance or position in the face of opposition
23. stand still ⇒ to remain motionless
24. (followed by for) to tolerate: I won't stand still for your threats
25. stand to reason ⇒ to conform with the dictates of reason: it stands to reason that pigs can't fly
26. stand to someone ⇒ to be useful to someone: your knowledge of English will stand to you

noun

1. the act or an instance of standing
2. an opinion, esp a resolutely held one: he took a stand on capital punishment
3. a halt or standstill
4. a place where a person or thing stands
5. a position on the floor of a shearing shed allocated to one shearer
6. the shearing equipment belonging to such a position
7. a structure, usually of wood, on which people can sit or stand
8. a frame or rack on which such articles as coats and hats may be hung
9. a small table or piece of furniture where articles may be placed or stored: a music stand
10. a supporting framework, esp for a tool or instrument
11. a stall, booth, or counter from which goods may be sold
12. a halt to give action, etc, esp one taken during a retreat and having some duration or some success
13. an extended period at the wicket by two batters
14. a growth of plants in a particular area, esp trees in a forest or a crop in a field
15. a stop made by a touring theatrical company, pop group, etc, to give a performance (esp in the phrase one-night stand)
16. (of a gun dog) the act of pointing at game

Etymology: Old English standan; related to Old Norse standa, Old High German stantan, Latin stāre to stand; see stead

ˈstander noun