Definition of: stand

(stand) v. stood, stand·ing v.i.
1. To assume or maintain an erect position on the feet: distinguished from sit, lie, kneel, etc.
2. To be in a vertical position; be erect.
3. To measure a specified height when standing: He stands six feet.
4. To assume a specified position: to stand aside.
5. To be situated; have position or location; lie.
6. To have or be in a specified state, condition, or relation: We stand ready to fight; He stood in fear of his life.
7. To assume an attitude for defense or offense: Stand and fight!
8. To be or remain firm or resolute, as in determination.
9. To be consistent; accord; agree.
10. To remain unimpaired, unchanged, or valid: My decision still stands.
11. To collect and remain; also, to be stagnant, as water.
12. To be of a specified rank or class: He stands third.
13. To stop or pause; halt.
14. To scruple; hesitate.
15. Naut. To take a direction; steer: The brig stood into the wind.
16. To point, as a hunting dog.
17. Brit. To be a candidate, as for election.
—v.t.
18. To place upright; set in an erect position.
19. To put up with; endure; tolerate.
20. To be subjected to; undergo: He must stand trial.
21. To withstand; resist.
22. Colloq. To pay for; bear the expense of: to stand a treat.
—to stand a chance (or show) To have a chance or likelihood, as of success.
—to stand by
1. To stay near and be ready to help or operate.
2. To help; support.
3. To abide by; make good; adhere to.
4. To remain passive and watch, as when help is needed.
5. Telecom. To wait, as for the continuance of an interrupted transmission.
—to stand clear To remain at a safe distance.
—to stand down Law To leave the witness stand.
—to stand for
1. To represent; symbolize.
2. To put up with; tolerate.
—to stand from under To move from beneath, as something about to fall.
—to stand in Colloq. To cost.
—to stand in for To act as a substitute for.
—to stand off Colloq.
1. To keep at a distance.
2. To fail to agree or comply.
—to stand on
1. To be based on or grounded in; rest.
2. To insist on or demand observance of: to stand on ceremony.
3. Naut. To keep on the same tack or course.
—to stand on one's own (two) feet (or legs) To be independent; manage one's own affairs.
—to stand out
1. To stick out; project or protrude.
2. To be prominent; appear in relief or contrast.
3. To refuse to consent or agree; remain in opposition.
—to stand over
1. To remain near and watch, as a subordinate.
2. To be postponed.
—to stand pat
1. In poker, to play one's hand as dealt, without drawing new cards.
2. To resist change. See STAND-PATTER.
—to stand to reason To conform to reason.
—to stand up
1. To stand erect.
2. To withstand wear, criticism, analysis, etc.
3. Slang To fail, usually intentionally, to keep an appointment with.
—to stand up for To side with; take the part of.
—to stand up to To confront courageously; face.
—to stand up with To be best man or bridesmaid for.
—noun
1. A structure upon which persons or things may stand, or on which articles may be kept or displayed.
2. A small table on which things may be placed conveniently.
3. A rack or other piece of furniture on which hats may be hung, or canes, umbrellas, etc., supported: a hall stand.
4. A stall, counter, or the like, where merchandise is displayed: a bookstand.
5. A structure upon which persons may sit or stand, as a platform, or a series of raised seats: a bandstand, a judges' stand; also, a small platform in court from which a witness testifies.
6. Any place where or in which something stands; position; place; specifically, the place of one's customary occupation; an assigned or chosen location.
7. The act of standing, especially of standing firmly: to make a stand against the enemy.
8. Cessation from motion or progress; a standstill.
9. A complete set; outfit: chiefly in the phrase stand of arms.
10. A growth on the field, as of corn or grass.
11. A tree grown from seed; also, a young tree left when others are cut down.
12. The growing trees in a forest or in part of a forest.
13. In the theater, a stop made while on tour to give a performance; also, the place: a one–night stand.
14. Obs. A troop; force.
15. A curved metal bar attached to the base of a force pump and serving as a fulcrum for the brake which moves the piston up and down.
16. In prosody, an epode: so called because it was originally sung while the chorus stood still. [OE standan]
—stand′er noun Synonyms (verb): abide, continue, endure, halt, pause, remain, stay, stop. See REST¹. Antonyms: decline, droop, drop, fail, faint, falter, flee, fly, sink, succumb, yield.