positional

adjective

po·​si·​tion·​al pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce positional (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or fixed by position
positional astronomy
2
: involving little movement
positional warfare
3
: dependent on position or environment or context
the front-articulated \k\ in \kē\ key and the back-articulated \k\ in \kül\ cool are positional variants
positionally adverb

Examples of positional in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That’s when teams can go after free agents and entice them to sign new contracts with the idea that the team can turn a positional weakness into a potential strength. Steve Silverman, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 The annual event is a pivotal showcase for the prospects in that year's draft, with team general managers, head coaches, positional coaches and scouts all gathering in Indianapolis to get an up-close-and-personal look at the prospective NFL players. Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Part of the experience involves an area in which fans play tiki taka — the famous Barcelona style of play put forward by Pep Guardiola’s teams based on positional possession — and collect points that go towards winning prizes. Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Christopher died at age 50 on Oct. 31, 2023, from positional asphyxia – when the position of a body impedes the ability to breathe – due to acute alcohol intoxication, according to a press release from the San Diego County Medical Examiner. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024 Tight end The dropoff between the primary four positional needs and the secondary four positional needs is a matter of perspective. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 12 Feb. 2024 Even without rolling onto their tummies, infants are at risk of positional asphyxia in inclined sleepers; that's because their heavy heads have a tendency to fall forward due to the steep angle. Christin Perry, Parents, 31 Jan. 2024 The General Hospital alum's cause of death was listed as positional asphyxia due to acute alcohol intoxication, according to a report from the Medical Examiner's Office obtained by TMZ. Liza Esquibias, Peoplemag, 27 Jan. 2024 Villar died from positional asphyxia caused by being suspended in the vehicle, which had rolled over, the Medical Examiner’s Office said. Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'positional.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of positional was circa 1560

Dictionary Entries Near positional

Cite this Entry

“Positional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/positional. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!