position

1 of 2

noun

po·​si·​tion pə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce position (audio)
1
: an act of placing or arranging: such as
a
: the laying down of a proposition or thesis
b
: an arranging in order
2
: a point of view adopted and held to
made my position on the issue clear
3
a
: the point or area occupied by a physical object : location
took her position at the head of the line
b
: a certain arrangement of bodily parts
rose to a standing position
4
: a market commitment in securities or commodities
also : the inventory of a market trader
5
a
: relative place, situation, or standing
is now in a position to make decisions on his own
b
: social or official rank or status
c
: an employment for which one has been hired : job
a position with a brokerage firm
d
: a situation that confers advantage or preference

position

2 of 2

verb

positioned; positioning pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce position (audio)

transitive verb

: to put in a certain position
positioned the chairs around the room
positioned the company in the global market

Examples of position in a Sentence

Noun From this position, you can see all of New York City's skyline. Actors, please assume your positions. The show is about to begin. The child fell asleep in a sitting position. I was in an uncomfortable position and had to move. I was uncomfortable, so I shifted position. Return your seat to an upright position for landing. Verb He positioned the chairs around the table. The company is positioning itself to take advantage of a new market. The shortstop was positioned well to make the play. She positioned herself by the door.
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.
Noun
While Americans can't take their eyes off the May-December romance, the former cheerleader is building wealth, and football and media power, gaining a position of authority in Belichick's sphere as current UNC Tar Heels head coach and a cultural icon. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025 That’s why many in the real estate space are disappointed in the decision by a Washington regulator to end support for some programs that helped many Americans over that hurdle and into a position to buy homes. Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Verb
But with the 24th pick in the first round, the Vikings are positioned relatively well for one of the consensus top two safeties: Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina and Malaki Starks from Georgia. Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2025 The fortunate ones made it to international waters, positioning themselves in the shipping lanes, hoping a ship would rescue them. Lauren Vuong, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for position

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English posycion, from Anglo-French posicioun, from Latin position-, positio, from ponere to lay down, put, place, from Old Latin *posinere, from po- away (akin to Old Church Slavic po-, perfective prefix, Greek apo away) + Latin sinere to leave — more at of

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of position was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Position.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/position. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

position

1 of 2 noun
po·​si·​tion pə-ˈzish-ən How to pronounce position (audio)
1
a
: the manner in which something is placed or arranged
b
: a certain arrangement of the body
exercise while in a sitting position
2
: a stand taken on a question
3
: the point or area occupied by something
4
a
: one's rank in an organization or in society
positional
-ˈzish-(ə-)nəl
adjective

position

2 of 2 verb
positioned; positioning -ˈzish-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce position (audio)
: to put in a certain position
Etymology

Noun

Middle English posycion "position," from early French posicioun (same meaning), from Latin positio "position," from ponere "to put, place" — related to compound entry 1

Medical Definition

position

1 of 2 noun
po·​si·​tion pə-ˈzish-ən How to pronounce position (audio)
: a particular arrangement or location
specifically : an arrangement of the parts of the body considered particularly desirable for some medical or surgical procedure
knee-chest position
the prone position
positional adjective

position

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to put in proper position

More from Merriam-Webster on position

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