position
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /pəzˈɪʃən/
US
- /pəˈzɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
the place or arrangement in which someone or something is situated
a job or role in an organization
a view or stance on an issue
More meaningsFewer meanings
a rank or place in an ordered list, hierarchy, or competition
Verb
to put or arrange someone or something in a particular place or posture
to present or market someone or something in a chosen way
Beyond the definition
Think of a chessboard: each piece has its own position. That is the basic idea, but the word is used in a few common ways. It can mean the place where someone or something is. It can mean a person's view on an issue. If you take a strong position, you clearly show what you believe. It can also mean a job or role in a company. And if someone is in a "difficult position," they are in a hard situation.
The word comes from the Latin "positio," meaning a placing or setting. So whether it is about where something is, what someone believes, or the role a person has, position is about place, role, and point of view.
"Position" is a flexible word with several common meanings, usually connected to place, role, or point of view. At its most basic, it means the place where someone or something is: "The map showed the exact position of the shipwreck." This can be physical, like a goalkeeper's position on the field, or more abstract, like a star's position in the sky.
However, "position" extends beyond just location. It also describes a job or role within an organization: "She was offered the position of marketing director." This usage emphasizes specific responsibilities and professional authority.
"Position" can also refer to someone's opinion or stance on a particular issue. To take a position means to choose a clear viewpoint and defend it. For example, "The senator took a firm position against the new bill." Similarly, you might describe someone as being in a "strong, weak, or difficult position," referring to how favorable or unfavorable their current situation is.
The word can also relate to body posture or arrangement, and it is used in subjects like mathematics and geometry to describe where points and shapes are located.
So whether you are talking about location, work, beliefs, posture, or circumstances, position is about where something stands, both in the real world and in a more abstract sense.
Examples
- 1
Furniture placement
Move the chair into a better position by the window.
- 2
Body posture
Try to hold this position for ten seconds.
- 3
Room location
From our position at the back of the room, we couldn't hear the speaker clearly.
- 4
Job opening
The company is hiring for a marketing position.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Career level
She started in a junior position and became a manager within three years.
- 6
Competitive advantage
The team is in a strong position after winning the first two games.
- Phrasein a strong position
likely to succeed or have an advantage
- 7
Ability
I'm not in a position to lend you money right now.
- Patternin a position to do X
able to do it
- 8
Difficult situation
His mistake put me in an awkward position with my boss.
- Patternput someone in an awkward/difficult position
create a problem for them
- 9
Political stance
The senator has not taken a clear position on the issue.
- Patterntake a position on + issue
say what you think about it
- 10
Camera setup
Position the camera so that everyone fits in the picture.
- 11
Brand image
The brand tries to position itself as simple, reliable, and affordable.
- Patternposition yourself as + image
make people see you in that way
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- current position
- starting position
- in position
- out of position
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- positionnounverb
Forms
- positionspluralnounverb
- positionedpast tenseverbnoun
- positioning-ing formverbnoun