grandstand
pronunciation
How to pronounce grandstand in British English:
UK [ˈgrænstænd]
How to pronounce grandstand in American English:
US [ˈɡrændˌstænd,ˈɡræn-]
-
- Noun:
- the audience at a stadium or racetrack
- a stand at a racecourse or stadium consisting of tiers with rows of individual seats that are under a protective roof
-
- Verb:
- perform ostentatiously in order to impress the audience and with an eye to the applause
Word Origin
- grandstand (n.)
- "main seating for spectators at an outdoor event," 1761 (two words), from grand (adj.) + stand (n.). The verb meaning "to show off" is student slang from 1895, from grandstand player, attested in baseball slang from 1888.It's little things of this sort which makes the 'grand stand player.' They make impossible catches, and when they get the ball they roll all over the field. [M.J. Kelly, "Play Ball," 1888] Compare British gallery hit (1882) "showy play by a batsman in cricket, 'intended to gain applause from uncritical spectators'" [OED]. Related: grandstanding.
Synonym
Example
- 1. A special eat in a theater or grandstand box .
- 2. He smote the ball into the grandstand .
- 3. The outdoor grandstand reeked of cheap liquor and the occasional pool of vomit .
- 4. The grandstand was filled with men in seersucker suits , braces and pocket squares .
- 5. Private area in a theater or grandstand where a small group can watch the performance .