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

He added that the Sidemen had a "unified stance on not speaking about political and social issues".

From BBC

It does seem inevitable Guardiola will manage at international level one day – and if Spain is not an obvious move because of his stance on Catalan independence, England is an option.

From BBC

The attorney's stance makes sense to those who believe men can and should be expected to take personal responsibility for their behavior.

From Salon

But it’s rarer to get cast members’ unfiltered stances on political or social issues.

From Los Angeles Times

Mayer said they wanted to emulate the success of the UK Independence Party who had managed to change the Conservative Party's stance on the European Union by winning votes in their traditional heartlands at elections.

From BBC

Related Words

• attitude
• posture
• stand
• viewpoint