stance

American  

[stans] / stæns /

noun

• stances
  plural

1. the position or bearing of the body while standing.

   legs spread in a wide stance; the threatening stance of the bull.

2. a mental or emotional position adopted with respect to something.

   They assumed an increasingly hostile stance in their foreign policy.

3. Sports. the relative position of the feet, as in addressing a golf ball or in making a stroke.

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stance British  

/ stæns, stɑːns /

noun

1. the manner and position in which a person or animal stands

2. sport the posture assumed when about to play the ball, as in golf, cricket, etc

3. general emotional or intellectual attitude

   a leftist stance

4. a place where buses or taxis wait

5. mountaineering a place at the top of a pitch where a climber can stand and belay

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• stances
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stance stances

The unit of Fitch Solutions cites Thailand’s relatively accommodative monetary policy stance and elevated global energy prices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

These officials said that price pressures remained broad-based and judged that the Fed should adopt a more restrictive policy stance to meet its commitment to achieving its 2% inflation target.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

Takaichi has also accelerated a beefing up of Japan's military capabilities as its sheds its strict pacifist stance in place since the war.

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

Throughout the attack, Muehl kept his arms up in a performative boxing stance and at one point referred to himself as Max Holloway, an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter, the department said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

“I will fight for them if anyone try to take,” he said, taking a fighting stance.

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata

Kettner has remained bullish on stocks since 2023, as other rival Wall Street analysts have taken more cautious stances.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

But there’s another reason successors like Graham often adopt their male predecessors’ stances: political expedience.

From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2026

Turk's stances have earned him sharp criticism from several governments, notably Russia and Israel.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

A robust but civilised public debate can respect both of those stances.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

Now down to their tunics and knickers, they took aggressive stances.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• attitude
• posture
• stand
• viewpoint