# standing

/ˈstændɪŋ/ (US) · /stˈændɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/standing
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. reputation

noun · CEFR B2

your rank or reputation in a group, society, or profession.

For teachers: a person's relative social, professional, or financial status.

- He is a doctor of high standing in the local community.
- The scandal severely damaged his standing among his peers, making it nearly impossible for him to secure future funding for his research.

### 2. duration

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the length of time that something has existed or continued.

For teachers: the period of time during which something has been in existence or effect.

- The two families had a friendship of long standing.
- Given the dispute's long standing, the mediator suggested that a simple apology would no longer be sufficient to resolve the underlying tension.

### 3. sports ranking

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

the position of a team or player in a league table.

For teachers: the relative position of a competitor or team within a league or tournament hierarchy.

- After their latest win, the team moved up to third place in the standings.
- The final league standings will determine which teams qualify for the international playoffs scheduled for next spring.

Usage: Often used in the plural form 'standings' in American English.

### 4. legal right

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

the legal right to bring a case to a court of law.

For teachers: the ability of a party to demonstrate to the court sufficient connection to and harm from the law or action challenged.

- The judge ruled that the group did not have standing to sue the company.
- The appellate court dismissed the case on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing, as they could not prove direct personal injury.

### 5. permanent or ongoing

adjective · CEFR B2

something that is permanent, fixed, or stays in place for a long time.

For teachers: remaining in force or status; not subject to change or cancellation under normal circumstances.

- I have a standing invitation to visit my aunt whenever I am in town.
- The committee has a standing rule that all members must disclose potential conflicts of interest before the start of every session.

### 6. upright

adjective · CEFR B1

being in an upright or vertical position; not sitting or lying down.

For teachers: maintained in an erect or upright position; not moving or flowing in certain contexts.

- The crowd gave the performer a standing ovation at the end of the play.
- The architect specified standing seams for the metal roof to ensure better water runoff during the heavy monsoon season.

## Examples

- His standing in the local community is very high.
- The judge ruled that the environmental group lacked the legal standing to sue the chemical company.
- Despite the recent scandal, the senator's long-standing reputation for integrity helped maintain his high standing among the more conservative members of the electorate.

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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.