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

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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”; see also stand

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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

She has since switched her stance, which she explained at the debate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

On the other hand, a more patient stance could allow yields to remain lower and support gold’s recovery, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

The European tour says players must "make a choice" regarding where they play and has taken a significantly tougher stance than it has done in recent seasons.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

The strategists are now overweight equities in the U.S. and Asia for the next three months, sticking to that stance for their 12-month view.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 12, 2026

Her stance was commanding, one leg thrust forward in a powerful movement, more stride than step.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Here’s more about the two candidates, along with their stances on a few top issues.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

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

Sheed and Otto maintained their stances for a few moments after the creature was no longer visible.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles

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Related Words

• attitude
• posture
• stand
• viewpoint

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