standing

American  

[stan-ding] / ˈstæn dɪŋ /

noun

1. rank or status, especially with respect to social, economic, or personal position, reputation, etc..

   He had little standing in the community.

2. good position, reputation, or credit.

   He is a merchant of standing in the community.

3. length of existence, continuance, residence, membership, experience, etc..

   a friend of long standing.

4. Sports. standings, a list of teams or contestants arranged according to their past records.

   According to the standings, the White Sox are leading the division by three games.

5. the act of a person or thing that stands.

6. a place where a person or thing stands.

7. Law. the right to initiate or participate in a legal action.

   having standing as a friend of the court.

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adjective

1. having an erect or upright position.

   a standing lamp.

2. performed in or from an erect position.

   a standing jump.

3. still; not flowing or stagnant, as water; stationary.

4. continuing without cessation or change; lasting or permanent.

5. continuing in operation, force, use, etc..

   a standing rule.

6. customary or habitual; generally understood.

   We have a standing bridge game every Friday night.

7. Printing. kept for use in subsequent printings.

   standing type.

8. out of use; idle.

   a standing engine.

9. Nautical. noting any of various objects or assemblages of objects fixed in place or position, unless moved for adjustment or repairs.

   standing bowsprit.

10. Knots. noting the part of a rope that is in use and terminates in a knot or the like.

standing British  

/ ˈstændɪŋ /

noun

1. social or financial position, status, or reputation

   a man of some standing

2. length of existence, experience, etc

3. (modifier) used to stand in or on

   standing room

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adjective

1. athletics

   1. (of the start of a race) begun from a standing position without the use of starting blocks

   2. (of a jump, leap, etc) performed from a stationary position without a run-up

2. (prenominal) permanent, fixed, or lasting

3. (prenominal) still or stagnant

   a standing pond

4. printing (of type) set and stored for future use Compare dead

Related Words

See credit.

Other Word Forms

• unstanding adjective

Etymology

Origin of standing

A Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; stand, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Devon Toews was standing directly in front of the crease, mere feet away from scoring the goal that would dash the Americans’ dreams of winning their first gold medal in 46 years.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many of these managers have decided that the best chance of standing out in a crowded market is to cater to thrill-seeking investors.

From The Wall Street Journal

It still faces a higher tariff than other regional economies, but the gap has narrowed, improving China’s relative standing and posing a threat to the recent electronics exports boom outside the country, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Argentine World Cup winner then slotted in deep into stoppage time and this time the goal did stand despite Hugo Ekitike standing in an offside position earlier in the move.

From Barron's

As Foreign Policy columnist Howard W. French observes, Rubio’s standing ovation wasn’t about anything he said.

From Salon

Related Words

• place
• prestige
• reputation
• stature
• status