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

Here’s a breakdown of the stance of the 12 policymakers who will vote on Dec. 10.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In recent decades, some countries have shifted their stance on assisted dying, with Australia, Canada and New Zealand introducing laws.

Read more on BBC

Looming over it all is the U.S.’s hardening stance toward Europe.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Its stance, and the inability of Lebanon’s weaker army to force disarmament, is heightening tensions with Israel and the U.S.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Rooney publicly revealed in September that she did not believe she could travel to the UK anymore because of her stance.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• attitude 
• posture 
• stand 
• viewpoint