Stand means to be upright on your feet, with your body vertical rather than sitting or lying down. When a teacher asks the class to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, everyone rises to their feet. You might stand in line at the cafeteria, stand at attention during a ceremony, or stand on your tiptoes to reach something on a high shelf.

The word also means to hold a position or opinion firmly. When you stand by a friend who's being treated unfairly, you support them even when it's difficult. A scientist might stand behind her research results, meaning she believes in them despite criticism. Someone who stands up for what's right shows courage in defending their principles.

Stand can also mean a physical structure or place: a lemonade stand where kids sell drinks, a newsstand selling papers and magazines, or the stands at a baseball stadium where spectators sit.

In sports, when you stand at two wins and one loss, that's your current record. When something stands ten feet tall, that's its height. If a rule or decision stands, it remains in effect and hasn't been changed.

The word appears in many expressions: stand out means to be noticeably different, stand down means to withdraw or stop, and can't stand means you really dislike something. When you ask where someone stands on an issue, you're asking their position or opinion.