# stand

/ˈstænd/ (US) · /stˈænd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stand
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to be on one's feet

verb · CEFR A1

to be in a vertical position on your feet, not sitting or lying down.

For teachers: to maintain an upright position supported by one's feet. Intransitive in this primary physical sense.

- We had to stand at the back of the room because all the chairs were taken.
- The crowd was asked to stand for the national anthem, creating a solemn atmosphere before the match began.

Usage: Often used with 'up' to describe the movement from sitting to standing.

### 2. to tolerate

verb · CEFR B1

to be able to accept or deal with something unpleasant.

For teachers: to tolerate or endure something. Usually used in negative constructions or questions with 'can' or 'could'.

- I can't stand the smell of smoke in the house.
- She could not stand the constant interruptions during her presentation, eventually asking the audience to hold their questions until the end.

Usage: Commonly followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form).

### 3. to be in a state or condition

verb · CEFR B2

to be in a particular situation or level.

For teachers: to be in a specified state, condition, or relative position.

- As the rules stand now, you cannot enter the building without an ID.
- The financial records show exactly where the company stands after the recent market fluctuations.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'as it stands' to mean 'in its current condition'.

### 4. to be a candidate

verb · CEFR B2 · British English

to try to get elected for a job in government.

For teachers: to be a candidate in an election. Primarily British English usage; American English prefers 'run'.

- She decided to stand for Parliament in the next election.
- Several local business owners have announced their intention to stand for the council seats being vacated this autumn.

### 5. an opinion or protest

noun · CEFR B2

a strong effort to defend your ideas or to stop something from happening.

For teachers: a determined effort to resist something or to maintain an opinion.

- The local community is taking a stand against the new highway project.
- The senator took a firm stand on environmental protection, refusing to back down despite pressure from industrial lobbyists.

Usage: Commonly used with the verb 'take'.

### 6. a support or holder

noun · CEFR A2

a piece of furniture or a frame used to hold or support something.

For teachers: a structure or device designed to hold something upright or to display items.

- He left his wet umbrella in the stand by the front door.
- The microphone stand was adjusted to accommodate the height of the next speaker in the debate.

### 7. a small shop or stall

noun · CEFR A2

a small table or temporary structure where things are sold.

For teachers: a stall or booth where goods are sold or information is provided, often at a market or fair.

- We bought some fresh lemonade from a stand on the corner.
- The company rented a large stand at the trade fair to showcase their latest software innovations to potential investors.

### 8. stadium seating

noun · CEFR B1

the sloping area with seats for people watching a sports game.

For teachers: a large, typically tiered structure for seating spectators at a sporting venue. Often used in the plural.

- The fans in the stands cheered loudly when the home team scored.
- Security personnel were stationed throughout the stands to ensure the safety of the capacity crowd during the championship final.

## Examples

- She takes a firm stand on environmental issues.
- The committee had to take a stand against the new policy, despite the political pressure to approve it.
- His refusal to sign the loyalty oath was not merely a political act but a moral stand, a declaration of individual conscience against the demands of the state.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.