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position

puh-ZISH-uhn/pəˈzɪʃ.(ə)n/

Pluralpositions

Verbpositions, positioning, positioned

13 meanings of position

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  1. 1
    locationnouncountable
    The place or location where someone or something is found.

    The hikers radioed their position to the rescue team.

    Satellites can pinpoint the exact position of a ship at sea.

    UsageIn position means in the right place: the troops moved into position.

    Similarplace, location, spot, site

    Note

    Location names a point, but position keeps a trace of placement: it is where something stands, or where it was set.

  2. 2
    jobnouncountable
    A post of employment within an organization.

    The company advertised three new positions in its marketing department.

    After ten years, she finally accepted a senior position abroad.

    UsageYou apply for, hold or fill a position, often in a department or at a company.

    Similarpost, job, role, opening, vacancy

  3. 3
    opinionnouncountable
    A stated opinion or stance on a particular matter.

    The committee made its position on the merger perfectly clear.

    Critics challenged the author's position regarding the war.

    UsageFollowed by on or regarding: its position on the merger. Take a position means state a view.

    Similarstance, view, stand, opinion, viewpoint

    Note

    An older, sharper use lies behind this one. In John Milton's Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce (1643), a cause is "expres't in the position," meaning the thesis he had put forward. Like Latin positiō, it is something put forward.

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 6 facts

    • John Milton wrote Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce, first published in 1643. gutenberg.org
    • The first-edition title page bears the year 1643. gutenberg.org
    • Milton describes a cause of divorce as expres't in the position. en.wikisource.org
    • Position here means the thesis Milton puts forward, illustrating an older propositional use. en.wikisource.org
    • The position in the quotation is Milton's stated thesis. en.wikisource.org
    • Latin positiō derives from the verb meaning put or place, supporting the note's etymological analogy. en.wiktionary.org
  4. 4
    nouncountable or uncountable
    A person's status or rank within a society or group.

    The family's social position opened many doors for them.

    He rose to a position of considerable influence in government.

    UsageOften a position of plus a noun: a position of power, trust or influence.

    Similarstatus, rank, standing, station, place

  5. 5
    verbtransitive
    To place or arrange something in a particular spot.

    The crew positioned the lights to illuminate the stage.

    Carefully position the antenna for the best signal.

    UsageUsually takes a place phrase: position it near the window. Reflexive position yourself as means shape how others see you.

    Similarplace, put, set, arrange, situate

    Note

    Besides placing objects, the verb is often used figuratively for presenting oneself or a product in a certain way. Simon Bowers, writing in The Guardian in 2012, notes that the Channel Islands "have always positioned themselves as dependable repositories of riches."

  6. 6
    able to actnounfigurativelycountable
    A situation that puts someone in a suitable state to take some action.

    After the merger, the firm was in a strong position to expand overseas.

    I'm not in a position to lend you that much money right now.

    UsageMostly in a position to plus a verb. Not in a position to is a polite way to say you cannot.

    Similarsituation

  7. 7
    player's rolenouncountable
    The spot on the field, along with a defined set of duties, that a team assigns to a player.

    He has played every position except goalkeeper this season.

    Choosing the right position for each athlete is part of the coach's job.

    UsageYou play a position: what position do you play?

    Similarrole

    Note

    A coach's word, and it carries duties as well as ground. "Play your position!" is the shout at a player who runs all over the field. It reminds the player that the role is part of the place, not just the spot where they happen to stand.

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

    • “Play your position!” is an illustrative sporting instruction, with no named speaker or historical attribution. en.wiktionary.org
  8. 8
    body posenouncountable
    The manner in which the body is held or arranged.

    The yoga instructor demonstrated each position slowly.

    Sleeping in an awkward position left him with a stiff neck.

    UsageTakes in: sleeping in an awkward position, in the lotus position.

    Similarposture, pose, stance

  9. 9
    nouncountable
    The amount of a security, commodity, currency, or other financial instrument that a person or firm owns, or has committed to buy or sell (for example through futures or options).

    The fund disclosed a large position in renewable energy stocks.

    Traders reduced their positions ahead of the central bank's announcement.

    Similarholding, stake

    Note

    Finance borrowed the word for what an investor holds, and it comes with fixed partners: a long position, a naked position. Brian Dolan's Currency Trading For Dummies shows the working vocabulary: you hold a $100,000 position in USD/CHF and need margin to keep holding it.

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

    • Brian Dolan wrote Currency Trading For Dummies. oreilly.com
    • The book gives an example involving a $100,000 USD/CHF position and margin required to maintain it. en.wiktionary.org

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of position apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

This word comes from Latin positiō ("a putting, position"), based on positus, the past participle of pōnō ("to place"). It passed into English through Old French posicion and Middle English posicioun, and is related to words like composition and deposition.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 5 facts