stance

American  

[stans] / stæns /

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.

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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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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”; stand

Example Sentences

“This call is a bit more about upside in book value as foundry assets get a more optimistic look as we go through 2026,” he wrote of his new bullish stance.

From MarketWatch

His stance has shocked Denmark, a Nato ally that has traditionally enjoyed close relations with Washington, says BBC News diplomatic correspondent James Landale.

From BBC

Assessing the stance of monetary policy is more art than science.

From MarketWatch

In late November, China, for the first time in nearly two decades, omitted any mention of North Korean disarmament from a periodically released defense white paper that articulates its stance on global threats.

From The Wall Street Journal

California’s constitutional prohibition of slavery represented a significant ideological stance against the institution from the state’s founding, even if enforcement proved inconsistent.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• attitude
• posture
• stand
• viewpoint