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

• ball game
• deal
• footing
• picture
• posture
• scene
• status
• story

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

But Gonzalez’s family saw the situation differently. —Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024

After the conversation, Jennifer Crumbley texted her husband James about the situation. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2024

The Israeli government vowed to respond, even as world leaders and Western allies, including the United States, rushed to de-escalate the situation, urging Israel not to respond in a way that could lead to a regional war. —Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet had initially approved plans for a strike on Monday night inside Iranian territory to respond forcefully to last Saturday's missile and drones from Iran, but held back at the last-minute, three sources with knowledge of the situation said. —Samia Nakhoul, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024

Top lawmakers on national security committees, who are privy to classified briefings, have grown gravely concerned about the situation in recent weeks. —Stephen Groves, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024

Kings guard Keon Ellis came off the bench to play the final 76 seconds in a season-opening win over the Utah Jazz and did not play at all in the next three games, but the situation in Sacramento has changed. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 19 Apr. 2024

Leave the party or situation and find help immediately. —Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024

The Florida Highway Patrol announced in a news release that the active shooter situation began on Monday, April 8, as 22-year-old Taylon Nichelle Celestine entered Florida's Interstate 10 at the 112-mile marker driving a purple Challenger. —Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024

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

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