position
puh-ZIHSH-uhn
Position (noun) means a place or location where something or someone is. Example: “The ship's position was tracked by satellite.”
noun
1
A place or location where something or someone is.
"The ship's position was tracked by satellite."
"From his position on the hill, he could see the whole village."
"Please return the chair to its original position after the meeting."
2
A job or role within an organization.
"She applied for a marketing position at the firm."
"He was promoted to a senior position last year."
"The company has a vacant position for a part-time receptionist."
3
An opinion or stance on an issue.
"The senator explained her position on the new tax bill."
"Her position on homework is that it should be optional for young children."
"It is hard to take a firm position without knowing all the facts."
4
The way a body is arranged or held.
"The yoga instructor demonstrated the correct position."
"She winced and shifted into a more comfortable position on the sofa."
"Sleeping in an awkward position left him with a stiff neck."
verb
1
To place something in a particular spot or arrangement.
"They positioned the cameras to capture the whole stage."
"Please position the lamp closer to the desk so I can read."
"The photographer positioned herself near the door to catch everyone arriving."
How to use position
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhere something is located, a job title, someone's stance on an issue, or to place something deliberately.
Common pairings
job position
take a position
position yourself
in position
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Word forms
- Plural
- positions
- Third person singular
- positions
- Past tense
- positioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The ship's _____ was tracked by satellite.
Etymology
From Latin positio, "a placing," from ponere ("to place"), the same root behind "pose" and "post."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for position
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for position →
Frequently asked questions
What does “position” mean?
The word “position” means a place or location where something or someone is. In plain terms, where something is located, a job title, someone's stance on an issue, or to place something deliberately.
How do you pronounce “position”?
“Position” is pronounced puh-ZIHSH-uhn (/pəˈzɪʃ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “position” in a sentence?
Here is “position” used in a sentence: “The ship's position was tracked by satellite.”
What part of speech is “position”?
Depending on how it is used, “position” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “position” come from?
The word “position” comes from Latin. From Latin positio, "a placing," from ponere ("to place"), the same root behind "pose" and "post.".
Is “position” a common word?
“Position” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “position” have?
“Position” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a place or location where something or someone is.
What is the difference between position and location?
The words are close, but location tends to mean a broader, fixed place — a shop's location, a filming location. Position is often more precise and relative, describing exactly where something sits in relation to other things: the position of a word in a sentence, or a chair's position in the room.
What is the difference between position and place?
Place is the more general, everyday word for where something is. Position adds precision and often a sense of arrangement — how something is set relative to other things. You might lose your place in a queue, but adjust the position of the furniture. Position implies a considered or exact spot.
Does position always refer to a physical place?
No. Beyond physical location, position can mean a job or post ('a teaching position'), a rank or standing ('a strong position in the market'), or an opinion ('her position on the issue'). The core idea stays the same, though: where someone or something stands, literally or figuratively.
What is an example of position?
The position of the sun in the sky, a book's position on a shelf, or a player's position on the pitch all describe where something is. In each case, position pins down a specific spot, often defined by its relationship to the things around it.
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