plural stations
1
: a place where buses, trains, etc., regularly stop so that passengers can get on and off
They drove him to the bus/train station.
a subway station
2
: a place where someone does a job or waits for a task
The waiters were at their stations in the dining room.
a nurse's/nursing station [=an office area for the nurses working in a hospital]
The sailors were ordered to man their battle stations.
After joining the army, he spent five years at his first station. [=post]
3
old-fashioned
: a person's social or official position in relation to others : rank
He had married above his station.
They were aware of her station in life.
4
: a building, area, etc., where a certain kind of work or activity is done
a research/space/weather station
a computer station
a feeding station for livestock
5
: a place that provides a certain kind of service to the public
A firefighter led the children on a tour of the station. [=fire station]
She stopped for gas at the first station [=(US) gas station, (Brit) petrol station] she saw.
Officers brought him to the station [=police station] for questioning.
6
: a company that makes radio or television broadcasts
He turned to his favorite sports station.
What station is the game on?
also
: the building from which radio or television broadcasts are made
Our offices are located next door to a TV station.
7
: a farm or ranch in Australia or New Zealand
a sheep station
stations; stationed; stationing
1
: to assign (someone) to a station or position : post
He stationed the guards around the camp.
They stationed troops at the border.
—often used as (be) stationedShe has been stationed at the base for a few years.
They were stationed in the region of the fighting.
2
: to put (yourself) in a place and stay there for a period of time
He stationed himself by the door to greet the guests.
Cite this Entry
“Station.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/station. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
