Definition

1. Noun:

   • A large, roofed seating structure: A "grandstand" is a permanent stand, typically at a racecourse, stadium, or fairground, consisting of tiered rows of seats under a protective roof, providing a clear view of the event.
   • The spectators in such a structure: By extension, "grandstand" can refer to the audience seated in this main viewing area.

2. Verb:

   • To show off or perform ostentatiously: To "grandstand" means to act or speak in a showy or dramatic manner, specifically to attract attention, gain approval, or impress an audience.

Examples

• Noun:

  • We had great seats in the grandstand for the baseball game.
  • A roar went up from the grandstand as the home team scored.

• Verb:

  • The politician tends to grandstand during debates instead of answering questions directly.
  • He's not sincere; he's just grandstanding for the cameras.

Advanced Usage

• "Grandstand play": In sports, this refers to a flashy, showy play made more to impress the spectators than as a fundamental part of the game.

  • The outfielder's unnecessary dive was purely a grandstand play; he could have caught it easily.

• "Grandstand finish": A very exciting and close conclusion to a race or contest.

  • The marathon ended with a grandstand finish as the top two runners sprinted neck-and-neck.

Variants and Related Words

• Grandstander (noun): A person who grandstands.
  • He was dismissed as a mere grandstander, not a serious legislator.

Synonyms

• Noun (structure): bleachers, stands, seating, terrace.
• Verb (to show off): showboat, posture, play to the gallery, hot-dog.

Related Phrases

• To play to the grandstand: This phrase is synonymous with the verb "to grandstand," meaning to act for public applause.
  • His entire speech was just playing to the grandstand.

Idioms

• "Grandstand view": An excellent, unobstructed view of an event.
  • Our hotel room offered a grandstand view of the New Year's fireworks.

Noun

1. a stand at a racecourse or stadium consisting of tiers with rows of individual seats that are under a protective roof
2. the audience at a stadium or racetrack

Verb

1. perform ostentatiously in order to impress the audience and with an eye to the applause
   • She never misses a chance to grandstand