situation

noun

sit·​u·​a·​tion ˌsi-chə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce situation (audio)
1
a
: the way in which something is placed in relation to its surroundings
b
: site
c
archaic : locality
2
archaic : state of health
3
a
: position or place of employment : post entry 6, job
b
: position in life : status
4
: position with respect to conditions and circumstances
5
a
: relative position or combination of circumstances at a certain moment
b
: a critical, trying, or unusual state of affairs : problem
c
: a particular or striking complex of affairs at a stage in the action of a narrative or drama

Examples of situation in a Sentence

He's in a bad situation. You may find yourself in a situation where you lose control of the vehicle. How is your financial situation? I'm worried about the current political situation. My parents are retired and in a good situation. I have a situation that I have to deal with at the moment. The house is in a wonderful situation overlooking the valley.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then there’s factors such as spreading out lefthanded hitters in the lineup to offset lefthanded relievers, flexibility for late-game situations and Quatraro’s preference to keep free-swinging batters from being lined up together (the better to avoid a couple fast outs). Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025 For those who work with Venezuelan migrants directly, the situation feels deeply complicated. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025 Howe was primarily concerned with having a deep-lying ‘No 6’ who was comfortable having the ball in any situation, no matter how pressurised, and that is why Guimaraes and now Sandro Tonali have thrived there. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 9 May 2025 If the Rodgers situation continues dragging out, could Pittsburgh move on and pursue a trade with the Falcons for Cousins? Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for situation

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of situation was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Situation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/situation. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

situation

noun
sit·​u·​a·​tion ˌsich-ə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce situation (audio)
1
a
: the way in which something is placed in relation to its surroundings
2
a
: a position or place of employment : post, job
b
: position in life : status
3
: position with respect to conditions and circumstances
the military situation
4
: relative position or combination of events and conditions at a particular moment

Medical Definition

situation

noun
sit·​u·​a·​tion ˌsich-ə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce situation (audio)
1
: the way in which something is placed in relation to its surroundings
2
: the total set of physical, social, and psychocultural factors that act upon an individual in orienting and conditioning his or her behavior
3
: relative position or combination of circumstances at a particular moment

More from Merriam-Webster on situation

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