stance
Americannoun
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the position or bearing of the body while standing.
legs spread in a wide stance; the threatening stance of the bull.
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a mental or emotional position adopted with respect to something.
They assumed an increasingly hostile stance in their foreign policy.
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Sports. the relative position of the feet, as in addressing a golf ball or in making a stroke.
noun
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the manner and position in which a person or animal stands
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sport the posture assumed when about to play the ball, as in golf, cricket, etc
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general emotional or intellectual attitude
a leftist stance
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a place where buses or taxis wait
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mountaineering a place at the top of a pitch where a climber can stand and belay
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of stance
First recorded in 1525–35; from Old French estance, “(standing) position,” from Vulgar Latin stantia (unrecorded), derivative of Latin stant-, stem of stāns “standing,” present participle of stāre “to stand”; see also stand
Explanation
Your stance is your posture or the way you stand. Figuratively, if you take a stance against bullying, you are standing against it. If you take a stance on a contentious issue, it means you believe strongly about it one way or the other. If your stance is unpopular, you'll need some courage to speak your mind. The word comes from the Italian stanza which means stopping place. Your stance is something that's not likely to change. You have stopped there, your decision is made. You're done.
Vocabulary lists containing stance
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 6
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“In our view, the key to the current policy stance in Norway is that inflation concerns predate this spring’s energy price volatility,” ING foreign exchange strategist Francesco Pesole said in a note.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026
The Makerfield MP also rejected attacks on his economic stance, insisting he would not be "indisciplined" on public finances.
From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026
That is why the Supreme Court has, according to the research company EBSCO, “maintained a clear stance against issuing advisory opinions.”
From Slate • Jul. 1, 2026
If Yardeni is right, the Warsh-led Fed hopes to lower long-term borrowing costs by maintaining a tough public stance on inflation and even raising the short-term fed-funds rate if necessary.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026
Jason bent his knees and pulled the bat back behind his shoulder in a perfect batting stance.
From "The Missing Mitt (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #2)" by Franklin W. Dixon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
