parade rest

noun

, Military.

1. a position assumed by a soldier or sailor in which the feet are 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) apart, the hands are clasped behind the back, and the head is held motionless and facing forward.
2. a command to assume this position.

Word History and Origins

Origin of parade rest¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

As the Hitler Youth faced the twin granite grandstands, they stood at parade rest, waiting for the Führer to address them.

From Literature

Rows of police officers stood silently at parade rest outside the church as family and friends mourned the slain police officers inside.

From Seattle Times

“It was hot, most definitely. I was feeling the effects of heat exhaustion, but it was important to me to stand at attention the entire time, except for brief periods of ‘parade’ rest, with my legs apart, shoulder-width.”

From Washington Post

“It was hot, most definitely. I was feeling the effects of heat exhaustion, but it was important to me to stand at attention the entire time, except for brief periods of ‘parade’ rest, with my legs apart, shoulder-width.”

From Seattle Times

The 70 or so teenagers of Class 42 attending Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy on Fort Knox still live, eat, march, exercise, stand at parade rest to show respect and share a laugh or two as they work on their school studies - together.

From Washington Times