stance

[ stans ]

noun

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

stance

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of stance¹

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”; stand

Word History and Origins

Origin of stance¹

C16: via French from Italian stanza place for standing, from Latin stāns , from stāre to stand

Example Sentences

But still, he said: "I think there probably is a conflict of interest in that his pro-crypto stance will benefit his company."

From BBC

It is the stance, shuffle across the crease and bend of the front knee into the ball.

From BBC

But she counsels against entirely writing off what the term describes, and understands why some organizations take a hard stance by requiring kittens be adopted in twos.

From Salon

That was odd, considering the GOP stance on guns, which amounts to “buy one get one free.”

From Salon

School districts have taken different stances on discipline overall, with Los Angeles having a “restorative” model that prioritizes dialogue before punishment, which so far is limited to phone confiscation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• attitude
• posture
• stand
• viewpoint