positional
adjective
po·si·tion·al
pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 
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
Ill-fitting car seats and loose car seat straps can cause a baby to slump over, putting them at risk for positional asphyxia.
—
Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
His positional size and versatility, combined with his shooting ability, stood out to the Hornets.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 4 Apr. 2024
The most common methods of torture include beatings, electric shocks, threats of execution, mock executions and positional torture.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
This headset lacks the visual and positional location awareness and the 5G connectivity—not to mention the comfort—that would be needed to wear it out in the real world on anything like a regular basis.
—Anshel Sag, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024
While Miami’s exact demands were not known, the Orioles have two prospects that potentially could have solved the Marlins’ greatest positional needs (catcher and shortstop).
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2024
That will be his positional focus for the time being, though it’s being filled at the major-league level by a combination of Carlos Santana and Alex Kirilloff right now.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2024
And yet, despite their similar positional profiles, there was never any question who would be the sacrificial lamb.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
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
Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
His positional size and versatility, combined with his shooting ability, stood out to the Hornets.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 4 Apr. 2024
The most common methods of torture include beatings, electric shocks, threats of execution, mock executions and positional torture.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
This headset lacks the visual and positional location awareness and the 5G connectivity—not to mention the comfort—that would be needed to wear it out in the real world on anything like a regular basis.
—Anshel Sag, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024
While Miami’s exact demands were not known, the Orioles have two prospects that potentially could have solved the Marlins’ greatest positional needs (catcher and shortstop).
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2024
That will be his positional focus for the time being, though it’s being filled at the major-league level by a combination of Carlos Santana and Alex Kirilloff right now.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2024
And yet, despite their similar positional profiles, there was never any question who would be the sacrificial lamb.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
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
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
Phrases Containing positional
Dictionary Entries Near positional
Cite this Entry
“Positional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/positional. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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