I don't find the word "bus stand" in the dictionary. Why is that?

Though the word "bus stand" is used very frequently by Indians, it does not find a place in many dictionaries because native speakers of English do not use it. They tend to use the word "bus stop" to refer to the place where a bus stops to pick up passengers.

A bus stop, which offers protection against the sun, rain, etc., is called a "bus shelter".

Indians also use the word "bus stand" to refer to the place where buses going to and coming from different destinations are parked. Native speakers refer to such a place as "bus station" or "terminus".

So, is it wrong to say "bus stand"? Not in the Indian context.

S. UPENDRAN

(The Hindu, 24:12:2002)