grandstand

American  

[gran-stand, grand-] / ˈgrænˌstænd, ˈgrænd- /

noun

1. the main seating area of a stadium, racetrack, parade route, or the like, usually consisting of tiers with rows of individual seats.

2. the people sitting in these seats.

---

verb (used without object)

grandstanded, grandstanding

1. to conduct oneself or perform showily or ostentatiously in an attempt to impress onlookers.

   The senator doesn't hesitate to grandstand if it makes her point.

adjective

1. situated in a grandstand.

   grandstand seats.

2. having a vantage point resembling that of a grandstand.

   From our office windows on the third floor, we had a grandstand view of the parade.

3. intended to impress an onlooker or onlookers.

   a grandstand catch.

grandstand British  

/ ˈɡrænˌstænd, ˈɡrænd- /

noun

1. 1. a terraced block of seats, usually under a roof, commanding the best view at racecourses, football pitches, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      grandstand tickets

2. the spectators in a grandstand

3. (modifier) as if from a grandstand; unimpeded (esp in the phrase grandstand view )

---

verb

1. informal (intr) to behave ostentatiously in an attempt to impress onlookers

Other Word Forms

• grandstander
  noun

Etymology

Origin of grandstand

First recorded in 1915–20; grand + stand

Explanation

As a noun, grandstand means a large seating area for sports spectators. As a verb, it means to show off. So if you dance around in a banana costume at the horse races, you grandstand in the grandstand. Tiered, covered seating at a racetrack or outdoor sports arena is one kind of grandstand. This word has been used since the mid-18th century, and in the late 1800s it was adapted into the baseball slang phrases grandstand player and grandstand play, which referred to theatrical, unnecessary moves athletes made simply to show off. These terms found their way into college slang around the same time, and grandstand became a common way to say "put on airs."

Example Sentences

Former Australia coach and batter Darren Lehmann told ABC Grandstand he hoped Konstas was not "getting caught up in the hype".

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2025

The 73-year-old broadcaster, who hosted the BBC's Grandstand and Sportsnight, will have an operation this weekend.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2023

If you don’t mind paying extra — about $30 to $300, which includes same-day fair admission — catch big musical and comedy acts at the Grandstand.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 31, 2023

“I’m just super happy right now,” Stricker told the Grandstand crowd.

From Washington Times • Aug. 30, 2023

She committed 10 unforced errors in the final two sets after having 20 in the first set, played in a stiff wind from the west on the Grandstand court adjacent to the stadium court.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 17, 2023

Related Words

• show off