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

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

Heating to such houses is supplied by large plants known as TETs - an acronym that stands for "heat and electricity centrals" in Ukrainian as they generate electricity as well as heat.

From BBC

"I was just a young guy, but I wanted to stand for the independence of Afghanistan," he added.

From Barron's

Related Words

• exemplify
• imply
• represent
• suggest
• symbolize