position

noun

OPAL WOPAL S

/pəˈzɪʃn/

jump to other results

place

[countable] the place where somebody/something is located

Where would be the best position for the lights?
from a/your position From his position on the cliff top, he had a good view of the harbour.
She looked down over the scene from a raised position.
in a position These plants will grow well in a sheltered position.
The hotel stands in an elevated position looking out over the lake.

Synonyms placeplace

site
area
position
point
location
scene
spot
venue

These are all words for a particular area or part of an area, especially one used for a particular purpose or where somebody/something is situated or happens.

place
a particular point, area, city, town, building, etc., especially one used for a particular purpose or where a particular thing happens:
- This would be a good place for a picnic.
site
the place where something, especially a building, is or will be located; a place where something happened or that is used for a particular purpose:
- They’ve chosen a site for the new school.
area
a part of a room, building or particular space that is used for a special purpose; a particular place on an object:
- the hotel reception area
- Move the cursor to a blank area on the screen.
position
the place where a person or thing is located; the place where somebody/something is meant to be:
- From his position at the top of the hill, he could see the harbour.
The position of somebody/something is often temporary: the place where somebody/something is at a particular time.
point
a particular place within an area, where something happens or is supposed to happen:
- the point at which the river divides
location
a place where something happens or exists, especially a place that is not named or not known:
- The company is moving to a new location.
scene
a place where something happens, especially something unpleasant:
- the scene of the accident
spot
a particular point or area, especially one that has a particular character or where something particular happens:
- The lake is one of the local beauty spots.
venue the place where people meet for an organized event such as a performance or sports event.

Patterns

at a place/site/position/point/location/scene/spot/venue
in a(n) place/area/position/location/venue
the place/site/point/location/spot/venue where…
the right place/site/position/location/spot/venue
a central site/position/location/venue
the/somebody’s/something’s exact/precise place/site/position/point/location/spot

Extra Examples

Could you tell us your exact position please?
Radars determine the aircraft's position.
This device tracks the ship's position and orientation.
Throughout the house, the position and size of each window is carefully calculated.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

correct
exact
central
…

verb + position

take
take up
jostle for
…

preposition

in position
into position
out of position
…

See full entry

[countable, uncountable] the place where somebody/something is meant to be; the correct place

He took up his position by the door.
in position Is everybody in position?
The dancers all got into position.
She was learning to change her hand from first to third position (= on the strings of a violin).

Extra Examples

Fix the pieces in position before gluing them together.
Hordes of journalists jostled for position outside the conference hall.
The guards took up their positions on either side of the door.
Two of his vertebrae had slipped out of position.
The players returned to their starting positions and began again.
The wall panels are hoisted into position by a crane.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

correct
exact
central
…

verb + position

take
take up
jostle for
…

preposition

in position
into position
out of position
…

See full entry

way somebody/something is placed

[countable, uncountable] the way in which somebody is sitting or standing, or the way in which something is arranged

a sitting/standing/kneeling position
My arms were aching so I shifted (my) position slightly.
The soldiers had to stand for hours without changing position.
in a… position Keep the box in an upright position.
Make sure that you are working in a comfortable position.
She moved the seat into a reclining position.

see also lotus position, missionary position, recovery position

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

comfortable
uncomfortable
crouched
…

verb + position

assume
change
shift
…

See full entry

situation

[countable, usually singular] the situation that somebody is in, especially when it affects what they can and cannot do

The company's financial position is not certain.
The company hopes to maintain its position as market leader.
in your position What would you do in my position?
in a… position This put him and his colleagues in a difficult position.
This recent sale puts us in a strong position.
to be in a position of power/strength/authority
in a position to do something I'm afraid I am not in a position to help you.
You are in no position to complain.

Synonyms situationsituation

circumstances
position
conditions
things
the case
state of affairs

These are all words for the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect the way things are.

situation
all the things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place:
- the present economic situation
circumstances
the facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action; the conditions of a person’s life, especially the money they have:
- The ship sank in mysterious circumstances.
position
the situation that somebody is in, especially when it affects what they can and cannot do:
- She felt she was in a position of power.
conditions
the circumstances in which people live, work or do things; the physical situation that affects how something happens:
- We were forced to work outside in freezing conditions.

circumstances or conditions?Circumstances refers to somebody’s financial situation; conditions are things such as the quality and amount of food or shelter they have. The circumstances that affect an event are the facts surrounding it; the conditions that affect it are usually physical ones, such as the weather.

things
(rather informal) the general situation, as it affects somebody:
- Hi, Jane! How are things?
- Think things over before you decide.
the case
the true situation:
- If that is the case (= if the situation described is true), we need more staff.
state of affairs
a situation:
- How did this unhappy state of affairs come about?

situation or state of affairs?State of affairs is mostly used with this. It is also used with adjectives describing how good or bad a situation is, such as happy, sorry, shocking, sad and unhappy, as well as those relating to time, such as present and current. Situation is much more frequent and is used in a wider variety of contexts.Patterns

in (a) particular situation/circumstances/position/state of affairs
the/somebody’s economic/financial/social situation/circumstances/position/conditions
(a/an) happy/unhappy situation/circumstances/position/state of affairs
to look at/review the situation/the circumstances/the conditions/things

Extra Examples

He left the club in a precarious financial position with debts of £36 million.
I was in the embarrassing position of having completely forgotten her name.
It has taken years to achieve the position we are now in.
It put me in an awkward position when he asked me to keep a secret.
Film has always had a dominant position in the entertainment industry.
She was put in the difficult position of having to betray her friends.
They are in a better position than most to understand his needs.
We are all in the same position.
As a teacher, you were in a position of trust.
I was in no position to judge them.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

business
economic
financial
…

verb + position

achieve
attain
reach
…

preposition

in a/the position
position of

See full entry

opinion

[countable] an opinion on or an attitude towards a particular subject

She has made her position very clear.
to change/reconsider/shift your position
position on something the party’s position on education reforms
position that… My parents always took the position that early nights meant healthy children.

Extra Examples

The managing director was urged to reconsider his position on the takeover.
He took an extreme position on religious matters.
The country's official position is that there is no famine in the area.
The official position was that of refusing to talk to terrorists.
We take a strong position on artificial growth hormones in our cows.
She refuses to take a position on this controversial issue.

Topics Opinion and argumentb2

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

extreme
ideological
philosophical
…

verb + position

adopt
take
defend
…

preposition

position on

See full entry

level of importance

[countable, uncountable] a person or organization’s level of importance when compared with others

the position of women in society
the company’s dominant position in the world market
Atkins occupies a remarkable position in the history of photography.
Wealth and position (= high social status) were not important to her.

Extra Examples

They occupy a lowly position in society.
I'm afraid my position within the organization is not very high.
This latest novel confirms her pre-eminent position among today's writers.
His main aim is to improve his social position.
Their obvious desperation strengthens our bargaining position.
the trading position of the British economy
the role and position of farm workers in our society
This film consolidates his position as one of the most exciting directors in Europe.
The officials have abused their position by accepting bribes.
We are trying to improve our competitive position in a global market.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

first
second
etc.
…

verb + position

establish
gain
secure
…

preposition

position among
position in

phrases

a position of authority
a position of influence
a position of power
…

See full entry

job

[countable] (formal) a job synonym post

He held a senior position in a large company.
I should like to apply for the position of Sales Director.
They are advertising for a clinic coordinator and hope to fill the position by June.
We need more women in leadership positions.

Synonyms jobjob

position
post
vacancy
appointment

These are all words for a position doing work for which you receive regular payment.

job
work for which you receive regular payment:
- He’s trying to get a job in a bank.
position
(rather formal) a job:
- a senior position in a large corporation

job or position?Position usually refers to a particular job within an organization, especially at a high level, and is not usually used about jobs generally. It is also often used in job applications, descriptions and advertisements.

post
a job, especially an important one in a large organization:
- a key post in the new government
vacancy
a job that is available for somebody to do:
- We have several vacancies for casual workers.
appointment
(rather formal, especially British English) a job or position of responsibility:
- This is a permanent appointment, requiring commitment and hard work.

Patterns

a permanent/temporary job/position/post/vacancy/appointment
a full-time/part-time job/position/post/vacancy/appointment
to have/have got a(n) job/position/post/vacancy/appointment
to apply for/fill a job/position/post/vacancy
to resign from/leave/quit a job/position/post

Extra Examples

She has taken up a key position in our head office.
She was offered the position of general manager.
He's been promoted from his previous position as team coach.
Please tell us about your previous position, and what salary you earned.
She will assume the position of director next month.
We anticipate that this position will be made full-time shortly.
He resigned from his position of twenty years and started out on his own.
I have held positions of responsibility in several companies.

Topics Working lifeb2

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

full-time
part-time
current
…

verb + position

have
hold
occupy
…

preposition

in a/the position
position at
position in
…

See full entry

in race/competition

[countable] a place in a race, competition, or test, when compared to others

United's 3–0 win moved them up to third position.

in sport

[countable] the place where somebody plays and the responsibilities they have in some team games

What position does he play?
Nakata had to play out of position when the defender was injured.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

correct
exact
central
…

verb + position

take
take up
jostle for
…

preposition

in position
into position
out of position
…

See full entry

in war

[countable, usually plural] a place where a group of people involved in fighting have put men and guns

They attacked the enemy positions at dawn.
The defence stuck firmly to its position.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

correct
exact
central
…

verb + position

take
take up
jostle for
…

preposition

in position
into position
out of position
…

See full entry

Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French, from Latin positio(n-), from ponere ‘to place’. The current sense of the verb dates from the early 19th cent.