Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Standing \Stand"ing\, a.
   1. Remaining erect; not cut down; as, standing corn.

   2. Not flowing; stagnant; as, standing water.

   3. Not transitory; not liable to fade or vanish; lasting; as,
      a standing color.

   4. Established by law, custom, or the like; settled;
      continually existing; permanent; not temporary; as, a
      standing army; legislative bodies have standing rules of
      proceeding and standing committees.

   5. Not movable; fixed; as, a standing bed (distinguished from
      a trundle-bed).

   {Standing army}. See {Standing army}, under {Army}.

   {Standing bolt}. See {Stud bolt}, under {Stud}, a stem.

   {Standing committee}, in legislative bodies, etc., a
      committee appointed for the consideration of all subjects
      of a particular class which shall arise during the session
      or a stated period.

   {Standing cup}, a tall goblet, with a foot and a cover.

   {Standing finish} (Arch.), that part of the interior
      fittings, esp. of a dwelling house, which is permanent and
      fixed in its place, as distinguished from doors, sashes,
      etc.

   {Standing order} (Eccl.), the denomination (Congregiational)
      established by law; -- a term formerly used in
      Connecticut. See also under {Order}.

Committee \Com*mit"tee\, n. [Cf. OF. comit['e] company, and LL.
   comitatus jurisdiction or territory of a count, county,
   assize, army. The word was apparently influenced by the verb
   commit, but not directly formed from it. Cf. {County}.]
   One or more persons elected or appointed, to whom any matter
   or business is referred, either by a legislative body, or by
   a court, or by any collective body of men acting together.

   {Committee of the whole [house]}, a committee, embracing all
      the members present, into which a legislative or
      deliberative body sometimes resolves itself, for the
      purpose of considering a particular measure under the
      operation of different rules from those governing the
      general legislative proceedings. The committee of the
      whole has its own chairman, and reports its action in the
      form of recommendations.

   {Standing committee}. See under {Standing}.

Source : WordNet®

standing committee
     n : a permanent committee