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

The government is attempting to maintain a neutral stance.

From BBC

While others felt the stance was inhumane.

From BBC

The decision comes as regulators are taking a firmer stance with big tech companies worldwide, with the US government considering a breakup of Google.

From BBC

One can only wonder what Trump will do—whether he’ll change his position, whether he’s capable of changing his stance—when he realizes, if he realizes, that Putin is not his friend.

From Slate

The BJP denies the allegation and state chief ministers have linked demolitions with their tough stance on crime.

From BBC

Related Words

• attitude
• posture
• stand
• viewpoint