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po·si·tion | \ pə-ˈzi-shən 
\
\Definition of position
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : an act of placing or arranging: such as
a : the laying down of a proposition or thesis
b : an arranging in order
2 : a point of view adopted and held to
made my position on the issue clear
3a : the point or area occupied by a physical object : location took her position at the head of the line
b : a certain arrangement of bodily parts
rose to a standing position
4 : a market commitment in securities or commodities also : the inventory of a market trader
5a : relative place, situation, or standing
is now in a position to make decisions on his own
b : social or official rank or status
c : an employment for which one has been hired : job a position with a brokerage firm
d : a situation that confers advantage or preference
position
verbpositioned; positioning\ pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)niŋ \
\Definition of position (Entry 2 of 2)
: to put in a certain position
positioned the chairs around the room positioned the company in the global market
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Synonyms for position
Synonyms: Noun
- appointment,
- berth,
- billet,
- capacity,
- connection,
- function,
- job,
- place,
- post,
- situation
Synonyms: Verb
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Examples of position in a Sentence
Noun
From this position, you can see all of New York City's skyline.
Actors, please assume your positions. The show is about to begin.
The child fell asleep in a sitting position.
I was in an uncomfortable position and had to move.
I was uncomfortable, so I shifted position.
Return your seat to an upright position for landing. Verb
He positioned the chairs around the table.
The company is positioning itself to take advantage of a new market.
The shortstop was positioned well to make the play.
She positioned herself by the door.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun That puts the American government in the impossible position of defending our values by undermining them.
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Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, "Why America Is Afraid of TikTok," 30 July 2020 Those in position to know tell me the rumor is bunk.
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Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, "Now that banks can hold Bitcoin, crypto M&A rumors are swirling," 29 July 2020 Her partner and kids' father, Douglas Compton, who had been working as a caregiver at another senior home, was in the same position.
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Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, "Some Arizonans wait anxiously for more coronavirus financial help with expanded federal benefits set to expire," 12 July 2020 Mario Andretti is second to Foyt on the all-time win list in Indy-style racing with 52 victories, so Dixon went to bed Saturday night in position to catch him at Iowa.
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Dave Kallmann, The Indianapolis Star, "Scott Dixon wins Road America, now 3-for-3 to start IndyCar season," 12 July 2020 Mario Andretti is second to Foyt on the all-time win list in Indy-style racing with 52 victories, so Dixon went to bed Saturday night in position to catch him at Iowa.
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Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Dixon wins his third straight and has a chance to hit two IndyCar milestones Sunday at Road America," 11 July 2020 For the first time since taking the reins, Tumlin found himself in the awkward position of telling people not to ride Muni.
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Rachel Swan, SFChronicle.com, "Jeffrey Tumlin was hailed as SF’s transportation savior. Now the Muni chief faces a leadership test," 11 July 2020 Others feel they've been put in the awkward and sometimes dangerous position of confronting shoppers who refuse to wear the coverings.
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Abha Bhattarai, Anchorage Daily News, "US retail workers are being pulled into the latest culture war: Getting customers to wear masks," 9 July 2020 Others feel they’ve been put in the awkward and sometimes dangerous position of confronting shoppers who refuse to wear the coverings.
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Washington Post, "Retail workers are being pulled into the latest culture war: Getting customers to wear masks," 8 July 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The plan is designed to build on the firm's strengths, retain institutional knowledge and position the company for continuing success, Mandel said.
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Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Development firm Mandel Group announces succession plan, with new roles for founder Barry Mandel and others," 10 July 2020 My middle sister Alison felt the burden of being great at everything including being the only one who could position him correctly in his chair.
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TheWeek, "Why parents should let their children help," 2 July 2020 Politicians are racing to properly position themselves on the quickly evolving racial landscape.
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Steve Helber, National Geographic, "As monuments fall, how does the world reckon with a racist past?," 29 June 2020 To blind-bake a pie crust, position a baking rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees.
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Allison Robicelli, Washington Post, "It took years of searching (and some terrible slices) to get to a chocolate pie we all deserve," 3 July 2020 Observe how the moon changes shape and position each night.
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Dean Regas, The Enquirer, "This new book is a guide for you to explore the universe," 23 June 2020 To see it yourself Friday morning, make sure to position yourself with a clear view of the western part of the sky at moonset, which, for many Americans, will be quite early.
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Jay Cannon, USA TODAY, "Look out for the Strawberry Moon on Friday: Here's what it is and how to see it," 5 June 2020 Filmmaker James Cameron’s return to New Zealand to begin production on his Avatar sequel sets the scene for the South Pacific nation to position itself as a Covid-free haven in a world still struggling to contain the pandemic.
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Tracy Withers / Bloomberg, Time, "New Zealand Grants James Cameron Exemption to Travel Ban So He Can Begin Filming Avatar Sequel," 24 June 2020 The goal is to be able to track Covid-19 in the university's population, and better position the university community for a return to some in-person activities.
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Stephanie Elam, CNN, "UC San Diego is planning to test its students, faculty and staff regularly for Covid-19 in fall," 23 June 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'position.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for position
position
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of position
(Entry 1 of 2)
: the place where someone or something is in relation to other people or things
: the place where someone or something should be
: the way someone stands, sits, or lies down
position
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of position (Entry 2 of 2)
: to put (something or someone) in a particular position
See the full definition for position in the English Language Learners Dictionary
position
nounpo·si·tion | \ pə-ˈzi-shən \
\Kids Definition of position
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : the way in which something or someone is placed or arranged
The seat is in the upright position.
2 : a way of looking at or considering things
What's your position on the issue?
3 : the place where a person or thing is or should be
They took their positions on stage.
4 : the situation that someone or something is in
Your request puts me in an awkward position.
5 : the rank or role a person has in an organization or in society
She rose to a position of leadership.
6 : job sense 1
position
verbpositioned; positioning
Kids Definition of position (Entry 2 of 2)
: to put in a particular place or arrangement
He positioned the helmet on his head.
position
nounpo·si·tion | \ pə-ˈzish-ən \
\Medical Definition of position
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a particular arrangement or location specifically : an arrangement of the parts of the body considered particularly desirable for some medical or surgical procedure knee-chest position the prone position
Other Words from position
positional \ pə-ˈzish-ᵊn-əl \ adjective
\ adjectiveposition
transitive verbMedical Definition of position (Entry 2 of 2)
: to put in proper position
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Comments on position
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Time Traveler for position
The first known use of position was in the 14th century
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