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stand

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verb British English pronunciation: stand /stænd/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theystand
he/she/itstands
present participlestanding
past tensestood
past participlestood
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive] to have your body in an upright position supported by your feet

    The train was full and we had to stand all the way to Edinburgh.

    stand by/at/on/behind etc:

    Mrs Carter was standing by the open window.

    The man standing behind him spoke.

    stand with your back to someone/something:

    He was standing with his back to her.

    stand doing something:

    He stood looking at them in silence.

    stand and do something:

    The children stood and watched.

    stand still (=not move):

    They all stood still and listened to the sound coming from outside.

    Stand still and let me brush your hair.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
    1. a.
      to stand and be unable to move because you are reacting in a particular way to something
      stand motionless/transfixed/open-mouthed etc:

      She stood transfixed as the man lurched unsteadily across the busy road.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  2. 2

    stand

     or

    stand up

     [intransitive] to move from sitting or bending down into an upright position

    The whole courtroom stood as the judge entered.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  3. 3
    [intransitive] to put your foot on or in something by accident
    stand on/in:

    He apologized for standing on my foot.

    I just stood in something disgusting.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  4. 4
    [intransitive] if an object or building stands somewhere, it is in a particular position

    His statue stands in the city square.

    Their house stood at the top of a hill.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
    1. a.
      [transitive] to put an object or a person somewhere in an upright position

      Stand the bookcase against the far wall.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
    2. b.
      [intransitive] if something such as a building is standing, it has not been destroyed
      still standing:

      The ancient family home is still standing.

      left standing:

      Only a few homes were left standing after the earthquake.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
    3. c.
      [intransitive] used for talking about the state or condition of a building or object

      The house stood neglected for nearly 100 years.

      stand empty/idle:

      The old factory now stood empty.

      Several ships are standing idle in the port as the dock strike continues.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  5. 5
    [intransitive] if a car, train, plane etc stands somewhere, it remains there without moving, waiting to be used

    Luckily, the train was still standing at the platform.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  6. 6
    [intransitive] to be a particular height

    Their father stands well over six feet.

    The structure stands 40 metres high.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  7. 7
    [intransitive] to be in a particular situation or state
    as it stands/as things stand:

    As it stands, the law doesn't allow local government to take such action.

    where/how something stands:

    How do negotiations stand at the moment?

    know where you stand (with someone) (=understand your position):

    He might seem rude, but at least you know where you stand with him.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  8. 8
    [intransitive] to behave in a particular way

    He stood aloof from the daily operations of the office.

    stand ready/prepared:

    We stand ready to sign any reasonable agreement that you produce.

    stand together/united:

    So long as we all stand together, we'll win.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  9. 9
    [intransitive] if something such as an offer, a law, or a record stands, it remains in existence or use

    Her world record has stood for nearly 20 years.

    still stands:

    Tell him my offer still stands.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  10. 10
    [transitive] [usually in negatives or questions] to be willing to accept something that someone does

    I can't stand his lies any more.

    I won't stand any more arguing from you.

    How can you stand all that noise?

    stand someone doing something:

    I won't stand them interrupting me all the time.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  11. 11
    [intransitive] to have a particular attitude or view about a person or subject
    where someone stands on something:

    Where does the Prime Minister stand on this issue?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  12. 12
    [transitive] to be good or strong enough not to be badly affected or damaged by something

    These are plants that do not stand the cold well.

    stand the strain:

    I didn't think these boots would stand the strain of such a long walk.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  13. 13
    [intransitive] British to take part in an election as a candidate (=someone who people vote for). The American word is run

    She's not intending to stand at the next election.

    stand as:

    He'll be standing as the candidate for Falkirk West.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  14. 14
    [intransitive] if a liquid stands, it is still and does not flow

    soil where water stands in the winter

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  15. 15
    [intransitive] if a food, drink, or mixture stands, nothing is done to it so that its flavours can develop and become stronger
    leave/allow something to stand for something:

    Leave the mixture to stand for 20 minutes.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  16. 16
    [transitive] to perform a particular job or service
    stand guard (over someone/something):

    Two men were left standing guard over the prisoners.

    stand bail/surety (for someone) (=accept a legal or financial responsibility for someone):

    No one would stand bail for him.

    He could not leave the country unless the Embassy stood surety for him.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand
  17. 17
    [transitive] informal old-fashioned to buy something for someone, especially food or drink
    stand someone something:

    I'll stand you a cup of coffee if you've no money.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of stand

phrases

This is the British English definition of stand. View American English definition of stand.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for stand.

 

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