# situation

Pronunciation: say "sit-yoo-AY-shuhn" /ˌsɪt.juːˈeɪ.ʃən/

## Noun

1. The circumstances that exist at a particular time, either in general or for a particular person.
   - Simple: The things that are happening at a certain time, or the conditions someone is living in.
   - _The political situation grew more tense as the deadline approached._
   - _Managers reviewed the situation carefully before deciding how to proceed._
2. A difficult or unpleasant set of circumstances; a problem that needs attention.
   - Simple: A hard or bad set of things you have to deal with, like a problem.
   - _The hostage situation lasted several hours before police intervened._
   - _Call security right away; we have a situation at the front gate._
3. The place where something is located and the way it is positioned in relation to its surroundings.
   - Simple: Where a building or place is, and what is around it.
   - _The cottage's situation on the cliff gave it sweeping views of the sea._
   - _Builders praised the situation of the house, sheltered from the wind._
4. A position of paid employment; a post, especially in domestic or salaried service. *(UK)*
   - Simple: A job, especially one working in someone's home or for a company.
   - _The young woman advertised for a situation as a governess._
   - _He held a comfortable situation in a merchant's office for many years._
5. An outfit, garment, or overall look, especially a notably stylish or striking one. *(slang)*
   - Simple: An outfit, piece of clothing, or overall look, especially one that stands out.
   - _His outfit for the wedding, a lime-green suit with white loafers, was quite the situation._
   - _Her glittered, sky-high updo was a whole situation._

## Other meanings

- (noun) An individual movie theater, considered as a single venue in film distribution.

## Origin

From Middle English situacioun, borrowed via Middle French situation from Medieval Latin situatio ('position'), which comes from situare ('to locate, place'), ultimately from Latin situs ('a site').

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/situation (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).