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Synonyms

grandstand

American  
[gran-stand, grand-] / ˈgrænˌstænd, ˈgrænd- /

noun

  1. the main seating area of a stadium, racetrack, parade route, or the like, usually consisting of tiers with rows of individual seats.

  2. the people sitting in these seats.

verb (used without object)

grandstanded, grandstanding

  1. to conduct oneself or perform showily or ostentatiously in an attempt to impress onlookers.

    The senator doesn't hesitate to grandstand if it makes her point.

adjective

  1. situated in a grandstand.

    grandstand seats.

  2. having a vantage point resembling that of a grandstand.

    From our office windows on the third floor, we had a grandstand view of the parade.

  3. intended to impress an onlooker or onlookers.

    a grandstand catch.
grandstand British  
/ ˈɡrænˌstænd, ˈɡrænd- /

noun

    1. a terraced block of seats, usually under a roof, commanding the best view at racecourses, football pitches, etc

    2. ( as modifier )

      grandstand tickets

  2. the spectators in a grandstand

  3. (modifier) as if from a grandstand; unimpeded (esp in the phrase grandstand view )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. informal (intr) to behave ostentatiously in an attempt to impress onlookers

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • grandstander noun

Etymology

Origin of grandstand

First recorded in 1915–20; grand + stand

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As part of the deal, TSG must pay for the demolition of the stables, grandstand and adjoining structures.

From Los Angeles Times

“Let’s get a spot on the grandstand for the demolition derby. If we go now, we’ll get front row seats.”

From Literature

Rather than fearing a grandstand finish, David Moyes' team clearly sensed there was still time for one final twist against a side with such defensive vulnerabilities.

From BBC

And which provides better camera angles than you’d get from any grandstand.

From The Wall Street Journal

According to Kyslytsia, these dealings are business-like and generally free of the sort of political and historical grandstanding seen elsewhere by Moscow.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.