n. & adj.
n. 1 esteem or repute, esp. high; status, position (people of high standing; is of no standing). 2 duration (a dispute of long standing). 3 length of service, membership, etc.
adj. 1 that stands, upright. 2 a established, permanent (a standing rule). b not made, raised, etc., for the occasion (a standing army). 3 (of a jump, start, race, etc.) performed from rest or from a standing position. 4 (of water) stagnant. 5 (of corn) unreaped. 6 (of a stallion) that stands at stud. 7 Printing (formerly, of type) not yet distributed after use. all standing 1 Naut. without time to lower the sails. 2 taken by surprise. in good standing fully paid-up as a member etc. leave a person standing make far more rapid progress than he or she. standing committee see COMMITTEE. standing joke an object of permanent ridicule. standing order an instruction to a banker to make regular payments, or to a newsagent etc. for a regular supply of a periodical etc. standing orders the rules governing the manner in which all business shall be conducted in a parliament, council, society, etc. standing ovation a rousing ovation conferred by an audience risen from their seats. standing rigging rigging which is fixed in position. standing-room space to stand in. standing wave Physics the vibration of a system in which some particular points remain fixed while others between them vibrate with the maximum amplitude (cf. travelling wave).