stand for

British  

verb

1. to represent or mean

2. to be or become a candidate for

3. to support or recommend

4. informal to tolerate or bear

   he won't stand for any disobedience

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stand for Idioms  

1. Represent, symbolize, as in The stars and stripes stands for our country . [Early 1600s]

2. Advocate, support, uphold, as in The National Writers Union stands for freedom of the press . [c. 1300] Also see stand up for .

3. Put up with, tolerate. This usage is generally in a negative context, as in Mother will not stand for rude behavior . [Late 1800s] Also see hold still for .

4. stand for something . Have some value or importance, as in She realized that appearances do stand for something . This usage dates from the mid-1800s but was preceded by stand for nothing , meaning “be worthless,” dating from the late 1300s. Also see stand in for .

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Example Sentences

"I mostly have to rest in bed. I can't stand for long or walk more than a few steps," he says.

From BBC

Each Thaad, which stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, can hold 48 interceptors between six launchers.

From The Wall Street Journal

It only hurts when I sit, so I stand for meals.

From Literature

The Thaad, which stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, is an American anti-ballistic missile system that can be used as backup against missiles both outside and inside the atmosphere.

From The Wall Street Journal

In one scene, a civilian asks Lieutenant Dane what the acronyms tattooed on both his hands stand for.

From Salon

Related Words

• exemplify
• imply
• represent
• suggest
• symbolize