Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense positions, present participle positioning, past tense, past participle positioned
1. countable noun
The position of someone or something is the place where they are in relation to other things.
The ship was identified, and its name and position were reported to the coastguard.
This conservatory enjoys an enviable position overlooking a leafy expanse.
Synonyms: location, place, point, area More Synonyms of position
2. countable noun
When someone or something is in a particular position, they are sitting, lying, or arranged in that way.
Hold the upper back and neck in an erect position to give support for the head.
Ensure the patient is turned into the recovery position.
Mr. Dambar had raised himself to a sitting position.
Synonyms: posture, attitude, arrangement, pose More Synonyms of position
3. verb
If you position something somewhere, you put it there carefully, so that it is in the right place or position.
Position trailing plants near the edges and in the sides of the basket to hang down. [VERB noun preposition]
Place the pastry circles on to a baking sheet and position one apple on each circle. [VERB noun preposition]
Synonyms: place, put, set, stand More Synonyms of position
4. countable noun
Your position in society is the role and the importance that you have in it.
...the position of older people in society. [+ of]
5. countable noun
A position in a company or organization is a job.
[formal]
He left a career in teaching to take up a position with the Arts Council.
Hyundai said this week it is scaling back its U.S. operations by eliminating 50 positions.
Synonyms: job, place, post, opening More Synonyms of position
6. countable noun
Your position in a race or competition is how well you did in relation to the other competitors or how well you are doing.
Agassi and Sampras resumed their battle for the world's No. 1 position, both winningtheir opening matches.
By the ninth hour the car was running in eighth position.
Synonyms: place, standing, rank, status More Synonyms of position
7. countable noun [usually singular]
You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position.
He's going to be in a very difficult position indeed if things go badly for him.
Companies should be made to reveal more about their financial position.
It was not the only time he found himself in this position.
Synonyms: situation, state, condition, set of circumstances More Synonyms of position
8. countable noun
Your positionon a particular matter is your attitude towards it or your opinion of it.
[formal]
He could be depended on to take a moderate position on most of the key issues. [+ on]
Mr Howard is afraid to state his true position on the republic, which is that heis opposed to it.
9. singular noun [NOUN to-infinitive]
If you are in a positionto do something, you are able to do it. If you are in no positionto do something, you are unable to do it.
The U.N. system will be in a position to support the extensive relief efforts needed.
I am not in a position to comment.
10.
See in position
More Synonyms of position
position in British English
(pəˈzɪʃən)
noun
1.
the place, situation, or location of a person or thing
he took up a position to the rear
2.
the appropriate or customary location
the telescope is in position for use
3.
the arrangement or disposition of the body or a part of the body
I remained in a sitting position
4.
the manner in which a person or thing is placed; arrangement
5. military
an area or point occupied for tactical reasons
6.
mental attitude; point of view; stand
what's your position on this issue?
7.
social status or standing, esp high social standing
8.
a post of employment; job
9.
the act of positing a fact or viewpoint
10.
something posited, such as an idea, proposition, etc
11. sport
the part of a field or playing area where a player is placed or where he or she generally operates
12. music
a.
the vertical spacing or layout of the written notes in a chord. Chords arranged with the three upper voices close together are in close position. Chords whose notes are evenly or widely distributed are in open position
See also root position
b.
one of the points on the fingerboard of a stringed instrument, determining where a string is to be stopped
13. make position
14. finance
the market commitment of a dealer in securities, currencies, or commodities
a long position
a short position
15. in a position
verb(transitive)
16.
to put in the proper or appropriate place; locate
17. sport
to place (oneself or another player) in a particular part of the field or playingarea
18.
to put (someone or something) in a position (esp in relation to others) that confers a strategic advantage
he's trying to position himself for a leadership bid
19. marketing
to promote (a product or service) by tailoring it to the needs of a specific market or by clearly differentiating it from its competitors (e.g. in terms of price or quality)
20. rare
to locate or ascertain the position of
Derived forms
positional (poˈsitional)
adjective
Word origin
C15: from Late Latin positiō a positioning, affirmation, from pōnere to place, lay down
position in American English
(pəˈzɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act of positing, or placing
2.
a positing of a proposition; affirmation
3.
the manner in which a person or thing is placed or arranged; attitude; posture; disposition
in a sitting position
4.
one's attitude toward or opinion on a subject; stand
his position on foreign aid
5.
the place where a person or thing is, esp. in relation to others; location; situation;site
the ship's position
6.
the usual or proper place of a person or thing; station
the players are in position
7.
a location or condition in which one has the advantage
to jockey for position
8.
a strategic military site
9.
a person's relative place, as in society; rank; status
10.
a place high in society, business, etc.
a man of position
11.
a post of employment; office; job
to apply for a teaching position
12. Finance
the long or short commitment of a market trader in securities or commodities
13. Music
a.
the arrangement of the notes of a chord with respect to their relative closeness or distance apart
open position
b.
any of the fixed locations on the fingerboard of a violin, etc. that the left hand assumes for fingering a particular series of notes
c.
any of the various points to which a trombone slide may be moved to change the pitch
verb transitive
14.
to put into a particular position; place or station
15. Rare
to locate
SYNONYMY NOTE: position applies to any specific employment for salary or wages, but often connotes white-collaror professional employment; , situation now usually refers to a position that is open or to one that is desired [situation wanted as instructor]; office refers to a position of authority or trust, especially in government or a corporation;a , post2 is a position or office that carries heavy responsibilities, esp. one to which aperson is appointed; , job1 is now the common, comprehensive equivalent for any of the preceding terms
Derived forms
positional (poˈsitional)
adjective
positioner (poˈsitioner)
noun
Word origin
MFr < L positio < positus, pp. of ponere, to place < *posinere < po-, away (< IE base *apo- > L ab, from, away) + sinere, to put, lay: see site
More idioms containing
position
in pole position
COBUILD Collocations
position
accept a position
attacking position
awkward position
chart position
commanding position
difficult position
driving position
enemy position
favoured position
financial position
fiscal position
good position
league position
maintain a position
management position
managerial position
position is clear
position is safe
powerful position
precarious position
present position
privileged position
prominent position
seating position
senior position
standing position
strengthen a position
the same position
unique position
winning position
Examples of 'position' in a sentence
position
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
This investment puts us in a strong position for the years to come.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He had taken his team to an imposing position by the time he was done.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We're in a good financial position.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He took full advantage of his pole position - despite going off the track at turn one.
The Sun (2016)
Such a move and his coveted England position would be placed at risk.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It would also become an offence to abuse a position for personal advantage, or for the benefit or detriment of another.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
One drill using mannequins as opponents focused on team shape after attacking raids and, in particular, finding the shortest route back into a position.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
To come off again losing after being in that position, is something I need to get out of my head pretty quick.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Presumably it eased his financial position somewhat.
Judd, Alan Ford Madox Ford (1990)
The main point is your position in group.
The Sun (2008)
The problem is that this is only possible if you scale the campus pastor position way back.
Christianity Today (2000)
We continue to monitor the position carefully.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Position the pins close to the teeth of the zip.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Then step back down and back to original standing position.
The Sun (2015)
This is generally reflected in the price that clubs pay for players in the different positions.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Only he has earned the right to hold that position.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We want to get in good positions in wide areas.
The Sun (2010)
Grid position is only part of the story.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They have been put into a position where creative leadership is extremely difficult.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We are coming out of it now and are in a much stronger position financially.
The Sun (2013)
The value of the gift should depend on the position of the person you are meeting.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Did well but he was dragged out of position at times.
The Sun (2013)
And what is the financial position going forward?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The issue is whether it concedes real advantages or positions that lock it and the whole opposition into defeat.
Hirst, Paul After Thatcher (1989)
The oil producers are in the enviable position of selling something that automatically makes more ofwhat they sell available.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Which driver is in pole position on the F1 wealth grid?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The question is whether it is worth positioning oneself to take up those rights, given the potential upside.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
position
British English: position /pəˈzɪʃən/ NOUN
geographical The position of someone or something is the place where they are.
The captain reported the ship's name and position.
American English: position
Arabic: مَكَانَة
Brazilian Portuguese: posição
Chinese: 位置
Croatian: položaj
Czech: pozice
Danish: position
Dutch: positie
European Spanish: posición emplazamiento
Finnish: asema sijainti
French: position
German: Position
Greek: θέση
Italian: posizione
Japanese: 位置
Korean: 위치
Norwegian: posisjon
Polish: pozycja położenie
European Portuguese: posição
Romanian: poziție
Russian: положение
Latin American Spanish: posición
Swedish: position
Thai: ตำแหน่ง
Turkish: pozisyon
Ukrainian: позиція
Vietnamese: vị trí
British English: position NOUN
in company A position in a company or organization is a job.
He left a career in teaching to take up a position with the government.
American English: position
Brazilian Portuguese: posição
Chinese: 位置
European Spanish: puesto
French: poste
German: Position
Italian: posto
Japanese: 場所
Korean: 위치
European Portuguese: posição
Latin American Spanish: puesto
Translate your text for free
All related terms of 'position'
in position
If someone or something is in position , they are in their correct or usual place or arrangement .
good position
You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position .
make position
the situation in which a short vowel may be regarded as long, that is, when it occurs before two or more consonants
open position
a situation in which a dealer in commodities , securities , or currencies has either unsold stock or uncovered sales
pole position
When a racing car is in pole position , it is in front of the other cars at the start of a race.
root position
the vertical distribution of the written notes of a chord in which the root of the chord is in the bass
chart position
Your position in a race or competition is how well you did in relation to the other competitors or how well you are doing.
close position
an arrangement of a chord that has the three upper voices close together
enemy position
The position of someone or something is the place where they are in relation to other things.
false position
a situation in which a person is forced to act or seems to be acting against his or her principles or interests
fetal position
a bodily position similar to that of a fetus in the womb , with the knees up towards the chest and the head bent forward
fifth position
a position similar to the first position, but with one foot in front , the heel and toe of the front foot adjacent to the toe and heel of the back foot
first position
a position of the feet in which the heels are back to back and the toes point out to the sides
fiscal position
You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position .
fourth position
a position in which the feet are at right angles to the direction of the body, the toes pointing out, with one foot forward and the other foot back
league position
Your position in a race or competition is how well you did in relation to the other competitors or how well you are doing.
lotus position
If someone doing meditation or yoga is in the lotus position , they are sitting with their legs crossed and each foot resting on top of the opposite thigh .
position angle
the direction in which one object lies relative to another on the celestial sphere , measured in degrees from north in an easterly direction
position audit
a systematic assessment of the current strengths and weaknesses of an organization as a prerequisite for future strategic planning
position effect
the effect on the phenotype of interacting genes when their relative positions on the chromosome are altered , as by inversion
position paper
A position paper is a detailed report which usually explains or recommends a particular course of action.
second position
a position in which the feet are spread apart and are at right angles to the direction of the body, the toes pointing out
senior position
A position in a company or organization is a job .
short position
the position of one who has not yet covered a short sale
stress position
an enforced body position, applied esp in the interrogation of detainees, which causes the victim pain by concentrating a large amount of his or her weight on a small number of muscles , joints , etc
third position
a position in which the feet overlap at the heels with the toes pointing out in opposite directions to the left and right
unique position
You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position .
attacking position
The position of someone or something is the place where they are in relation to other things.
awkward position
You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position .
benchmark position
a public service job used for comparison with a similar position, such as a position in commerce , for wage settlements
difficult position
You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position .
driving position
When someone or something is in a particular position , they are sitting , lying, or arranged in that way.
favoured position
The position of someone or something is the place where they are in relation to other things.
financial position
You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position .
in a position
able (to)
powerful position
You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position .
present position
You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position .
prominent position
The position of someone or something is the place where they are in relation to other things.
recovery position
a position in which an unconscious person can be lain on the floor , which minimises them from further risk
seating position
When someone or something is in a particular position , they are sitting , lying , or arranged in that way.
sleeping position
the position that you sleep in
standing position
When someone or something is in a particular position , they are sitting , lying, or arranged in that way.
winning position
You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position .
accept a position
A position in a company or organization is a job.
bargaining position
the position of a person, group, or organization in a negotiation , with respect to their ability to achieve a deal which is favourable to themselves
commanding position
Your position in a race or competition is how well you did in relation to the other competitors or how well you are doing.
fall-back position
an alternative plan
in pole position
in a very strong position in a competition or competitive situation, and likely to win or be successful
management position
A position in a company or organization is a job .
⇒ She remained in that position.她保持那种姿势。 (Tā bǎochí nà zhǒng zīshì.)
(frm, = job) 职(職)位 (zhíwèi)
(= role)[in society]地位 (dìwèi)
(in race, competition) 名 (míng)
(= attitude) 观(觀)点(點) (guāndiǎn)
(= situation) 处(處)境 (chǔjìng)
vt
[person, thing]放置 (fàngzhì)
to be in position在适(適)当(當)的位置 (zài shìdàng de wèizhì)
to be in a position to do sth能做某事 (néng zuò mǒushì)
请勿将 position，post 和 title 混淆。某人拥有的固定工作，在正式的英语中被称为 position 或 post。在招聘广告中，工作职位通常被称为 position 或 post，人们申请工作时，通常可以使用这两者中的任何一个。 He left a career in teaching to take up a position with a charity ... She is well qualified for the post. 在会话中，用 job 一词。 He's afraid of losing his job. 某人的 title 是指他在某组织机构中的地位或职位。 "Can you tell me your official job title?" — "It's Sales Manager."