placement
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /plˈeɪsmənt/
US
- /ˈpleɪsmənt/
Meanings
Noun
the act of putting something in a particular place or position
the assignment of someone to a job, role, or work posting
the assignment of a student to a school, class, program, or level
More meaningsFewer meanings
the positioning of an advertisement or branded product within media or on a page or screen
a ranked position or finish in a competition, list, or results table
Beyond the definition
Placement is the act of putting something in a certain place, or the position it ends up in. Think about arranging furniture or deciding where to hang a picture. It can also mean being put into a class, job, or program based on skill, needs, or results. For example, a student's placement in a class may depend on test scores, and job placement can mean helping someone find the right work. Sometimes, it means finding the right home or care setting, such as the placement of a rescued puppy. In each case, the idea is about where something or someone goes, and why that choice fits.
The word "placement" covers several related ideas, all connected to position, assignment, and suitability. At its core, placement is the act of putting something in a particular location, whether that means arranging objects in a room, deciding where artwork should go on a wall, or choosing the best spot for a piece on a chessboard.
However, "placement" goes beyond physical location. It often refers to being assigned to a certain class, role, rank, or level within a system. A student's placement in an advanced math class may be based on test results or ability, while a summer job placement may connect someone with a real work opportunity. In education and career support, "job placement" services help people find work that matches their skills.
Placement can also describe the process of finding the right home or care setting for someone who needs support. Animal shelters focus on responsible animal placement, making sure pets are matched with suitable families. In the same way, foster care involves the temporary placement of children in safe and supportive homes.
So, whether it involves physical positioning, entry into a class or job, or finding the right home, "placement" always points to where things or people belong and how they are situated within a larger context.
Examples
- 1
Furniture layout
The placement of the sofa makes the room feel bigger.
- 2
Camera setup
Check the placement of the camera before you start recording.
- 3
Student work
The school helps students find a work placement in their final year.
- Phrasea work placement
a temporary job that gives students experience
- 4
Temporary role
She got a six-month placement at a design company.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Job search
The agency offers job placement services for new graduates.
- Phrasejob placement
help finding a suitable job
- 6
Class level
All new students take a placement test before choosing a class.
- Phrasea placement test
a test that puts someone in the right level or group
- 7
Film advertising
The movie was criticized for obvious product placement.
- Phraseproduct placement
showing a brand in a film or show as advertising
- 8
Online advertising
The company paid for better ad placement on the website.
- Phrasead placement
where and how an advertisement appears
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- job placement
- student placement
- product placement
- placement test
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- placementnoun
Forms
- placementspluralnoun