grandstand
[gran-stand, grand-]
- the main seating area of a stadium, racetrack, parade route, or the like, usually consisting of tiers with rows of individual seats.
- the people sitting in these seats.
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- 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.
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- situated in a grandstand: grandstand seats.
- 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.
- intended to impress an onlooker or onlookers: a grandstand catch.
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Origin of grandstand
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for grandstanding
Contemporary Examples
It is grandstanding for a right rarely protected unless under immediate attack.
On Borgen, grandstanding and deceit still plague the political process.
Indeed, investors have learned to ignore the lunacy and approach D.C. grandstanding with a certain amount of cynicism.
Nixon, however, demurred; he said that it would be “grandstanding” to speak out, according to his aide William Safire.
Grandstanding is best postponed until several days after the danger has passed.
Historical Examples
The sort of grandstanding the Karna were putting on had to be played to an audience.
In Case of FireGordon Randall Garrett
At any time he was ready with a sneer for what he called the cowpuncher's "grandstanding."
Steve YeagerWilliam MacLeod Raine
You fellows better cut out the grandstanding and have a look west.
A Yankee Flier with the R.A.F.Rutherford G. Montgomery
If he's just doing a lot of grandstanding or if he's playing someone's political game, that's another thing.
Spring StreetJames H. Richardson
grandstand
- a terraced block of seats, usually under a roof, commanding the best view at racecourses, football pitches, etc
- (as modifier)grandstand tickets
- the spectators in a grandstand
- (modifier) as if from a grandstand; unimpeded (esp in the phrase grandstand view)
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- (intr) informal, mainly US and Canadian to behave ostentatiously in an attempt to impress onlookers
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for grandstanding
grandstand
n.
"main seating for spectators at an outdoor event," 1834, from grand (adj.)+ stand. The verb meaning "to show off" is student slang from 1895, from grandstand player, attested in baseball slang from 1888.
It's little things of this sort which makes the 'grand stand player.' They make impossible catches, and when they get the ball they roll all over the field. [M.J. Kelly, "Play Ball," 1888]
Cf. British gallery hit (1882) "showy play by a batsman in cricket, 'intended to gain applause from uncritical spectators'" [OED]. Related: grandstanding.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper