Stand for Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈstænd/ /ˈfɔɹ/, /fɝ/, /fɹɝ

STAND for, STAND fer, STAND furr

UK

stˈænd/ /fˈɔː

stand FOR

Definition

'Stand for' means to represent or be a symbol of something, like an abbreviation, or to support a particular idea or value.

Usage & Nuances

Used in both formal and informal contexts. Commonly asked as 'What does X stand for?' about acronyms. Also frequently used to describe principles someone supports (e.g., 'I stand for justice'). Don’t confuse with 'stand up for' (actively defend).

• Spanish: significar - representar - defender (valores)
• Portuguese (BR): significar - representar - defender (valores)
• Portuguese (PT): significar - representar - defender (valores)
• Chinese (Simplified): 代表 - 意味着 - 支持（价值观）
• Chinese (Traditional): 代表 - 意味著 - 支持（價值觀）
• Hindi: का अर्थ होना - प्रतिनिधित्व करना - समर्थन करना (मूल्य)
• Arabic: يرمز إلى - يعني - يدافع عن (القيم)
• Bengali: প্রতিনিধিত্ব করা - অর্থ বোঝানো - সমর্থন করা
• Russian: означать - символизировать - поддерживать (идею)
• Japanese: 表す - 象徴する - 支持する
• Vietnamese: đại diện cho - tượng trưng cho - ủng hộ
• Korean: 대표하다 - 상징하다 - 지지하다
• Turkish: temsil etmek - simgelemek - savunmak
• Urdu: نمائندگی کرنا - علامت ہونا - حمایت کرنا
• Indonesian: mewakili - melambangkan - mendukung

Example Sentences

What does NASA stand for?

basic

These letters stand for 'North Atlantic Treaty Organization'.

basic

He always stands for honesty.

basic

I don’t know what those initials stand for.

natural

She wants to work for a company that stands for equality.

natural

Do you know what ‘ASAP’ stands for?

natural