stance

American  

[stans] / stæns /

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.

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stance British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of stance

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

Example Sentences

The brokerage keeps an overweight stance on semiconductors and IT hardware due to strong earnings, as well as financials on attractive valuations.

From The Wall Street Journal

United's stance remains they do not want to be bounced into an appointment, and will take their time reaching a decision.

From BBC

Newcastle United chief executive David Hopkinson says he does not have a stance on the future of head coach Eddie Howe, but the club are "not looking to make a change at the moment".

From BBC

Inevitably, their stance at the moment is it is far too early to think about the championship, let alone whether team orders are needed.

From BBC

"As a result, we are now moving into an enforcement stance," said Inman Grant.

From Barron's

Related Words

• attitude
• posture
• stand
• viewpoint