standing

Universal Words adjective, noun adjective [onlybeforenoun] 1 existing or arranged permanently, not formed or made for a particular situation: a standing army * (BrE) a standing charge (= an amount of money that you pay in order to use a service, such as gas or water) * a standing committee * It's a standing joke (= something that a group of people regularly laugh at). * We have a standing invitation to visit them anytime. 2 done from a position in which you are standing rather than sitting or running: a standing jump / start seealsoFREE-STANDING noun [U] 1 the position or reputation of sb/sth within a group of people or in an organization SYNSTATUS: the high / low standing of politicians with the public * The contract has no legal standing. 2 [U] the period of time that sth has existed: a friendship of many years' standing seealsoLONG-STANDING 3 (standings) [pl.] a list of people, teams, etc. showing their positions in a sports competition: Hendry remains at the top of the championship standings.