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

They stand for as many as eight hours a day in front of an antique press, printing custom cards, invitations and stationery.

From The Wall Street Journal

“For the individual girl who does not make the team or doesn’t get on the stand for the medal or doesn’t make all-league, there’s a harm there,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

And there we stood for a few silent seconds, locked in a jaw-clenching standoff until our eyes began to tear up.

From Literature

Bardella said he would not stand for president next year but would instead seek the lower-ranking post of prime minister.

From BBC

The “GOAT” acronym typically stands for the “greatest of all time.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• exemplify
• imply
• represent
• suggest
• symbolize