situation

noun

sit·​u·​a·​tion ˌsi-chə-ˈwā-shən 

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

Synonyms of situation

• deal
• status
• story
• scene
• posture
• picture

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

Up until that moment, Pourrain had not feared that this situation would lead to him being sent to another country. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The team found that in situations where energy absorption is a critical factor, like the egg drop, horizontal eggs absorb more energy and can compress more under the same amount of force. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026

Coach Sean McVay has said that Donald’s situation would be evaluated daily. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Revolution’s Mancini said (ON)PATH does have a pathway to help patients who are in this situation. — Angus Chen, STAT, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing situation

• situation comedy
• situation ethics
• took charge of the situation

Rhymes for situation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

situation

noun

sit·​u·​a·​tion ˌsich-ə-ˈwā-shən 

1

a

: the way in which something is placed in relation to its surroundings

b

: site sense 1

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 

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