grandstand

1 of 3

noun

grand·​stand ˈgran(d)-ˌstand How to pronounce grandstand (audio)
1
: a usually roofed stand for spectators at a racecourse or stadium
2

grandstand

2 of 3

adjective

: done for show or to impress onlookers

grandstand

3 of 3

verb

grandstanded; grandstanding; grandstands

intransitive verb

: to play or act so as to impress onlookers

Examples of grandstand in a Sentence

Adjective The outfielder made a grandstand play out of what should have been a routine catch.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
As a result, the grandstands almost matched the field for star power, with actors Halle Berry, Hillary Duff and Edward Norton, rapper Lil Wayne and athletes Novak Djokovic, Puka Nacua, Christen Press, Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi among those on hand. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Those who wish to stretch their legs have lots of space to do that on the concourse that spans the grandstand from foul pole to foul pole. Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 19 Feb. 2024 Dubbed the Coliseum, the 163-yard 16th is surrounded by a tri-level grandstand that includes 298 suites and with general admission seating holds up to 20,000 fans. Jack Magruder, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 But most of the grandstands were still full Monday. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2024 At the end of the game, Klopp insisted his players link hands and walk over to the Kop, the soaring grandstand that is home to Liverpool’s most ardent fans, and thank them for their efforts. Rory Smith, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2024 Spectators were asked to leave, and the grandstand and hospitality areas were emptied. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Nov. 2023 The singer will perform in a bespoke, open-air arena that has been created at Munich Messe and will feature a combination of seated grandstands and standing areas for 80,000 people per night. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2024 Warren said more changes are in the works for the wall race, including adding Wi-Fi in the grandstands. Randy Covitz, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Grandstand seats start at $2,500; hospitality packages in the main grandstand start at $10,000. Hannah Elliott, Bloomberg.com, 7 June 2023 After a nearly fatal case of COVID-19, Minnesota pianist Nachito Herrera will play a mini-grandstand concert. Jon Bream, Star Tribune, 4 Sep. 2020 That cost is offset by the rest of the fair: the concessions, the rides, the grandstand events. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 29 May 2020 The air show opens to the public Friday and is also free, although grandstand tickets may be purchased on the air show’s website. San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2019 The construction of new grandstand bleachers at Timber Creek has yet to be competed. J.c. Carnahan, orlandosentinel.com, 13 Aug. 2019 When: June 15-16 Where: Eden Park Dearborn County 4-H & Community Fair Livestock shows and sales, demonstrations, grandstand events, rides, musical entertainment, baby shows, door prizes, vendors, food and more. Noelle Zielinski, Cincinnati.com, 12 June 2019 Traditional county fair includes rides, livestock, exhibits, grandstand events, entertainment and food. Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati.com, 21 June 2018 East grandstand supporters have rallied around a design by Hatfield, a former University of Oregon pole vaulter who has an architecture degree from the school and has gone on to fame as a shoe designer. Ken Goe, OregonLive.com, 9 June 2018
Verb
After more than three months of bitter arguments, courtroom grandstanding, hallway gaggles and hundreds of objections, former President Donald Trump's civil fraud trial will come to a close Thursday. Graham Kates, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2024 The automakers at times accused Fain of grandstanding for the cameras instead of engaging in real negotiations. Jeanne Whalen, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2023 Some Republicans were uneasy that statewide concerns seemed to be taking a back seat to grandstanding about national issues. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2023 It was mostly closed to the press in an attempt to permit more candid conversation and limit grandstanding. David Dimolfetta, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023 In this dark imagining, grandstanding politicians, greedy defense contractors, sensationalizing pundits, overzealous human rights activists, and belligerent bureaucrats fan the flames of rivalry for profit, creating an echo chamber that crowds out different perspectives. Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023 As the referee, Harvey Dock, counted over Spence’s fallen body, Crawford turned his back to the scene and began grandstanding to some friends at ringside. Morgan Campbell, New York Times, 30 July 2023 His willingness to criticize his own party, derail House business and risk a debt default in pursuit of conservative policies have at times brought charges of grandstanding. Joseph Morton, Dallas News, 6 July 2023 Cruz first gained notice in the United States in July 2021, dancing in the ring to celebrate his Olympic gold medal while the silver medalist, Keyshawn Davis of the United States, grandstanded in front of a TV camera. Morgan Campbell Todd Heisler, New York Times, 24 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grandstand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1754, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1883, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grandstand was in 1754

Cite this Entry

“Grandstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grandstand. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

grandstand

noun
grand·​stand
-ˌstand
: a usually roofed stand for spectators at a racecourse or stadium

More from Merriam-Webster on grandstand

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