stand
♦♦♦ stand /st'ænd/ (stands standing stood)
1 [VERB] V prep, V adj, V
When you are standing, your body is upright, your legs are straight, and your weight is supported by your feet.
She was standing beside my bed staring down at me...
They told me to stand still and not to turn round...
Overcrowding is so bad that prisoners have to sleep in shifts, while others have to stand.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
Stand up means the same as stand.
We waited, standing up, for an hour.
2 [VERB] V
When someone who is sitting stands, they change their position so that they are upright and on their feet.
Becker stood and shook hands with Ben.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
Stand up means the same as stand.
When I walked in, they all stood up and started clapping.
3 [VERB] V adv/prep, V adv/prep
If you stand aside or stand back, you move a short distance sideways or backwards, so that you are standing in a different place.
I stood aside to let her pass me...
The policemen stood back. Could it be a bomb?
4 [VERB] V prep/adv
If something such as a building or a piece of furniture stands somewhere, it is in that position, and is upright. (WRITTEN)
The house stands alone on top of a small hill...
5 [VERB] V
You can say that a building is standing when it remains after other buildings around it have fallen down or been destroyed.
There are very few buildings left standing.
6 [VERB] V n prep/adv
If you stand something somewhere, you put it there in an upright position.
Stand the plant in the open in a sunny, sheltered place.
= place
7 [VERB] V
If you leave food or a mixture of something to stand, you leave it without disturbing it for some time.
The salad improves if made in advance and left to stand.
8 [N-COUNT] usu sing, oft N against/on n
If you take or make a stand, you do something or say something in order to make it clear what your attitude to a particular thing is.
He felt the need to make a stand against racism in South Africa...
They must take a stand and cast their votes...
9 [VERB] where V on n, where V
If you ask someone where or how they stand on a particular issue, you are asking them what their attitude or view is.
The amendment will force senators to show where they stand on the issue of sexual harassment...
So far, the bishop hasn't said where he stands.
10 [VERB] where V with n
If you do not know where you stand with someone, you do not know exactly what their attitude to you is.
No-one knows where they stand with him; he is utterly unpredictable...
11 [V-LINK] V adj, V
You can use stand instead of `be' when you are describing the present state or condition of something or someone.
The alliance stands ready to do what is necessary...
The peace plan as it stands violates basic human rights.
12 [VERB] V
If a decision, law, or offer stands, it still exists and has not been changed or cancelled.
Although exceptions could be made, the rule still stands...
13 [VERB] V at amount
If something that can be measured stands at a particular level, it is at that level.
The inflation rate now stands at 3.6 per cent...
14 [VERB] V amount adj, V adj
You can describe how tall or high someone or something is by saying that they stand a particular height.
She stood five feet five inches tall and weighed 120 pounds...
She stood tall and aloof.
15 [VERB] V n
If something can stand a situation or a test, it is good enough or strong enough to experience it without being damaged, harmed, or shown to be inadequate.
These are the first machines that can stand the wear and tear of continuously crushing glass...
16 [VERB] V n/-ing, V n/-ing
If you cannot stand something, you cannot bear it or tolerate it.
I can't stand any more. I'm going to run away...
How does he stand the pain?
17 [VERB] V n/-ing
If you cannot stand someone or something, you dislike them very strongly. (INFORMAL)
He can't stand me smoking.
= bear
18 [VERB] V to-inf
If you stand to gain something, you are likely to gain it. If you stand to lose something, you are likely to lose it.
The management group would stand to gain millions of dollars if the company were sold...
19 [VERB] V in n
If you stand in an election, you are a candidate in it. (BRIT; in AM, use run)
He has not yet announced whether he will stand in the election...
20 [N-COUNT] oft n N
A stand is a small shop or stall, outdoors or in a large public building.
She bought a hot dog from a stand on a street corner.
see also newsstand
= stall
21 [N-COUNT]
A stand at a sports ground is a large structure where people sit or stand to watch what is happening. (BRIT)
[N-PLURAL]
In American English, stands is used with same meaning.
The people in the stands at Candlestick Park are standing and cheering with all their might.
22 [N-COUNT]
A stand is an object or piece of furniture that is designed for supporting or holding a particular kind of thing.
The teapot came with a stand to catch the drips.
23 [N-COUNT] usu n N
A stand is an area where taxis or buses can wait to pick up passengers.
Luckily there was a taxi stand nearby.
24 [N-SING] the N
In a law court, the stand is the place where a witness stands to answer questions.
When the father took the stand today, he contradicted his son's testimony...
25
see also standing
26 [PHRASE] V inflects, usu it PHR that
If you say it stands to reason that something is true or likely to happen, you mean that it is obvious.
It stands to reason that if you are considerate and friendly to people you will get a lot more back...
27 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you stand in the way of something or stand in a person's way, you prevent that thing from happening or prevent that person from doing something.
The British government would not stand in the way of such a proposal...
28
to stand a chance: see chance
to stand up and be counted: see count
to stand firm: see firm
to stand on your own two feet: see foot
to stand your ground: see ground
to stand someone in good stead: see stead
to stand trial: see trialmu|sic stand (music stands)
[N-COUNT]
A music stand is a device that holds pages of music in position while you play a musical instrument.night stand (night stands)
[N-COUNT]
A night stand is a small table or cupboard that you have next to your bed. (AM; in BRIT, use bedside table)one-night stand (one-night stands)
[N-COUNT]
A one-night stand is a very brief sexual relationship, usually one that is casual and perhaps only lasts one night. (INFORMAL)re|view|ing stand (reviewing stands)
[N-COUNT]
A reviewing stand is a special raised platform from which military and political leaders watch military parades.stand aside
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If someone stands aside, they resign from an important job or position, often in order to let someone else take their place. (BRIT; in AM, use stand down)
The President said he was willing to stand aside if that would stop the killing.
= stand downstand back
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you stand back and think about a situation, you think about it as if you were not involved in it.
Stand back and look objectively at the problem.
= step backstand by
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P to-inf, V P for n
If you are standing by, you are ready and waiting to provide help or to take action.
British and American warships are standing by to evacuate their citizens if necessary...
We will be holding the auditions from nine o'clock tomorrow night so stand by for details.
see also standby
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you stand by and let something bad happen, you do not do anything to stop it.
The Secretary of Defence has said that he would not stand by and let democracy be undermined...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you stand by someone, you continue to give them support, especially when they are in trouble.
I wouldn't break the law for a friend, but I would stand by her if she did.
= stick by
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you stand by an earlier decision, promise, or statement, you continue to support it or keep it.
The decision has been made and I have got to stand by it...
= stick bystand down
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P as n
If someone stands down, they resign from an important job or position, often in order to let someone else take their place.
Four days later, the despised leader finally stood down, just 17 days after taking office...
Profits plunged and he stood down as chairman last January.
= step down, resignstand for
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you say that a letter stands for a particular word, you mean that it is an abbreviation for that word.
What does EU stand for?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
The ideas or attitudes that someone or something stands for are the ones that they support or represent.
The party is trying to give the impression that it alone stands for democracy...
= represent
3 [PHRASAL VERB] with neg, V P n
If you will not stand for something, you will not allow it to happen or continue.
It's outrageous, and we won't stand for it any more.stand in
[PHRASAL VERB] V P for n, V P
If you stand in for someone, you take their place or do their job, because they are ill or away.
I had to stand in for her on Tuesday when she didn't show up.
...the acting president, who's standing in while she's out of the country.
see also stand-instand out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If something stands out, it is very noticeable.
Every tree, wall and fence stood out against dazzling white fields...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n
If something stands out, it is much better or much more important than other things of the same kind.
He played the violin, and he stood out from all the other musicians...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If something stands out from a surface, it rises up from it.
His tendons stood out like rope beneath his skin...
= stick outstand up
1
see stand 1, 2
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P to n
If something such as a claim or a piece of evidence stands up, it is accepted as true or satisfactory after being carefully examined.
He made wild accusations that did not stand up...
How well does this thesis stand up to close examination?
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If a boyfriend or girlfriend stands you up, they fail to keep an arrangement to meet you. (INFORMAL)
We were to have had dinner together yesterday evening, but he stood me up...stand up to
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P P n/-ing
If something stands up to bad conditions, it is not damaged or harmed by them.
Is this building going to stand up to the strongest gales?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P P n
If you stand up to someone, especially someone more powerful than you are, you defend yourself against their attacks or demands.
He hit me, so I hit him back-the first time in my life I'd stood up to him...taxi stand (taxi stands)
[N-COUNT]
A taxi stand is the same as a taxi rank. (mainly AM)wit|ness stand
[N-SING] the N
The witness stand is the same as the witness box. (AM)
1 [VERB] V prep, V adj, V
When you are standing, your body is upright, your legs are straight, and your weight is supported by your feet.
She was standing beside my bed staring down at me...
They told me to stand still and not to turn round...
Overcrowding is so bad that prisoners have to sleep in shifts, while others have to stand.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
Stand up means the same as stand.
We waited, standing up, for an hour.
2 [VERB] V
When someone who is sitting stands, they change their position so that they are upright and on their feet.
Becker stood and shook hands with Ben.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
Stand up means the same as stand.
When I walked in, they all stood up and started clapping.
3 [VERB] V adv/prep, V adv/prep
If you stand aside or stand back, you move a short distance sideways or backwards, so that you are standing in a different place.
I stood aside to let her pass me...
The policemen stood back. Could it be a bomb?
4 [VERB] V prep/adv
If something such as a building or a piece of furniture stands somewhere, it is in that position, and is upright. (WRITTEN)
The house stands alone on top of a small hill...
5 [VERB] V
You can say that a building is standing when it remains after other buildings around it have fallen down or been destroyed.
There are very few buildings left standing.
6 [VERB] V n prep/adv
If you stand something somewhere, you put it there in an upright position.
Stand the plant in the open in a sunny, sheltered place.
= place
7 [VERB] V
If you leave food or a mixture of something to stand, you leave it without disturbing it for some time.
The salad improves if made in advance and left to stand.
8 [N-COUNT] usu sing, oft N against/on n
If you take or make a stand, you do something or say something in order to make it clear what your attitude to a particular thing is.
He felt the need to make a stand against racism in South Africa...
They must take a stand and cast their votes...
9 [VERB] where V on n, where V
If you ask someone where or how they stand on a particular issue, you are asking them what their attitude or view is.
The amendment will force senators to show where they stand on the issue of sexual harassment...
So far, the bishop hasn't said where he stands.
10 [VERB] where V with n
If you do not know where you stand with someone, you do not know exactly what their attitude to you is.
No-one knows where they stand with him; he is utterly unpredictable...
11 [V-LINK] V adj, V
You can use stand instead of `be' when you are describing the present state or condition of something or someone.
The alliance stands ready to do what is necessary...
The peace plan as it stands violates basic human rights.
12 [VERB] V
If a decision, law, or offer stands, it still exists and has not been changed or cancelled.
Although exceptions could be made, the rule still stands...
13 [VERB] V at amount
If something that can be measured stands at a particular level, it is at that level.
The inflation rate now stands at 3.6 per cent...
14 [VERB] V amount adj, V adj
You can describe how tall or high someone or something is by saying that they stand a particular height.
She stood five feet five inches tall and weighed 120 pounds...
She stood tall and aloof.
15 [VERB] V n
If something can stand a situation or a test, it is good enough or strong enough to experience it without being damaged, harmed, or shown to be inadequate.
These are the first machines that can stand the wear and tear of continuously crushing glass...
16 [VERB] V n/-ing, V n/-ing
If you cannot stand something, you cannot bear it or tolerate it.
I can't stand any more. I'm going to run away...
How does he stand the pain?
17 [VERB] V n/-ing
If you cannot stand someone or something, you dislike them very strongly. (INFORMAL)
He can't stand me smoking.
= bear
18 [VERB] V to-inf
If you stand to gain something, you are likely to gain it. If you stand to lose something, you are likely to lose it.
The management group would stand to gain millions of dollars if the company were sold...
19 [VERB] V in n
If you stand in an election, you are a candidate in it. (BRIT; in AM, use run)
He has not yet announced whether he will stand in the election...
20 [N-COUNT] oft n N
A stand is a small shop or stall, outdoors or in a large public building.
She bought a hot dog from a stand on a street corner.
see also newsstand
= stall
21 [N-COUNT]
A stand at a sports ground is a large structure where people sit or stand to watch what is happening. (BRIT)
[N-PLURAL]
In American English, stands is used with same meaning.
The people in the stands at Candlestick Park are standing and cheering with all their might.
22 [N-COUNT]
A stand is an object or piece of furniture that is designed for supporting or holding a particular kind of thing.
The teapot came with a stand to catch the drips.
23 [N-COUNT] usu n N
A stand is an area where taxis or buses can wait to pick up passengers.
Luckily there was a taxi stand nearby.
24 [N-SING] the N
In a law court, the stand is the place where a witness stands to answer questions.
When the father took the stand today, he contradicted his son's testimony...
25
see also standing
26 [PHRASE] V inflects, usu it PHR that
If you say it stands to reason that something is true or likely to happen, you mean that it is obvious.
It stands to reason that if you are considerate and friendly to people you will get a lot more back...
27 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you stand in the way of something or stand in a person's way, you prevent that thing from happening or prevent that person from doing something.
The British government would not stand in the way of such a proposal...
28
to stand a chance: see chance
to stand up and be counted: see count
to stand firm: see firm
to stand on your own two feet: see foot
to stand your ground: see ground
to stand someone in good stead: see stead
to stand trial: see trialmu|sic stand (music stands)
[N-COUNT]
A music stand is a device that holds pages of music in position while you play a musical instrument.night stand (night stands)
[N-COUNT]
A night stand is a small table or cupboard that you have next to your bed. (AM; in BRIT, use bedside table)one-night stand (one-night stands)
[N-COUNT]
A one-night stand is a very brief sexual relationship, usually one that is casual and perhaps only lasts one night. (INFORMAL)re|view|ing stand (reviewing stands)
[N-COUNT]
A reviewing stand is a special raised platform from which military and political leaders watch military parades.stand aside
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If someone stands aside, they resign from an important job or position, often in order to let someone else take their place. (BRIT; in AM, use stand down)
The President said he was willing to stand aside if that would stop the killing.
= stand downstand back
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you stand back and think about a situation, you think about it as if you were not involved in it.
Stand back and look objectively at the problem.
= step backstand by
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P to-inf, V P for n
If you are standing by, you are ready and waiting to provide help or to take action.
British and American warships are standing by to evacuate their citizens if necessary...
We will be holding the auditions from nine o'clock tomorrow night so stand by for details.
see also standby
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you stand by and let something bad happen, you do not do anything to stop it.
The Secretary of Defence has said that he would not stand by and let democracy be undermined...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you stand by someone, you continue to give them support, especially when they are in trouble.
I wouldn't break the law for a friend, but I would stand by her if she did.
= stick by
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you stand by an earlier decision, promise, or statement, you continue to support it or keep it.
The decision has been made and I have got to stand by it...
= stick bystand down
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P as n
If someone stands down, they resign from an important job or position, often in order to let someone else take their place.
Four days later, the despised leader finally stood down, just 17 days after taking office...
Profits plunged and he stood down as chairman last January.
= step down, resignstand for
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you say that a letter stands for a particular word, you mean that it is an abbreviation for that word.
What does EU stand for?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
The ideas or attitudes that someone or something stands for are the ones that they support or represent.
The party is trying to give the impression that it alone stands for democracy...
= represent
3 [PHRASAL VERB] with neg, V P n
If you will not stand for something, you will not allow it to happen or continue.
It's outrageous, and we won't stand for it any more.stand in
[PHRASAL VERB] V P for n, V P
If you stand in for someone, you take their place or do their job, because they are ill or away.
I had to stand in for her on Tuesday when she didn't show up.
...the acting president, who's standing in while she's out of the country.
see also stand-instand out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If something stands out, it is very noticeable.
Every tree, wall and fence stood out against dazzling white fields...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n
If something stands out, it is much better or much more important than other things of the same kind.
He played the violin, and he stood out from all the other musicians...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If something stands out from a surface, it rises up from it.
His tendons stood out like rope beneath his skin...
= stick outstand up
1
see stand 1, 2
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P to n
If something such as a claim or a piece of evidence stands up, it is accepted as true or satisfactory after being carefully examined.
He made wild accusations that did not stand up...
How well does this thesis stand up to close examination?
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If a boyfriend or girlfriend stands you up, they fail to keep an arrangement to meet you. (INFORMAL)
We were to have had dinner together yesterday evening, but he stood me up...stand up to
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P P n/-ing
If something stands up to bad conditions, it is not damaged or harmed by them.
Is this building going to stand up to the strongest gales?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P P n
If you stand up to someone, especially someone more powerful than you are, you defend yourself against their attacks or demands.
He hit me, so I hit him back-the first time in my life I'd stood up to him...taxi stand (taxi stands)
[N-COUNT]
A taxi stand is the same as a taxi rank. (mainly AM)wit|ness stand
[N-SING] the N
The witness stand is the same as the witness box. (AM)