Definition of one-night stand noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. a sexual relationship that lasts for a single night ; a person that somebody has this relationship with. I wanted it to be more than a one-night stand. For her I was just a one-night stand. When it comes to idioms, there are countless phrases that can be confusing or difficult to understand. One such idiom is “ one - night stand ”. This phrase is commonly used in English-speaking countries, but its meaning may not be immediately clear to those who are unfamiliar with it. A one - night stand is an occasion when two people have sex once and never again. Learn the origin, synonyms, and usage of this informal term with Collins Dictionary. A one - night stand is a sexual encounter that lasts only one night , or a person who has such an encounter. It can also mean a performance given only once in one place. See synonyms, antonyms, translations and usage examples.