position (positions plural & 3rd person present) (positioning present participle) (positioned past tense & past participle )
1 n-count The position of someone or something is the place where they are in relation to other things.
The ship was identified, and its name and position were reported to the coastguard..., This conservatory enjoys an enviable position overlooking a leafy expanse.
2 n-count When someone or something is in a particular position, they are sitting, lying, or arranged in that way.
usu with supp
Hold the upper back and neck in an erect position to give support for the head..., Ensure the patient is turned into the recovery position..., Mr. Dambar had raised himself to a sitting position.
3 verb If you position something somewhere, you put it there carefully, so that it is in the right place or position.
(=place)
Place the pastry circles on to a baking sheet and position one apple on each circle. V n prep
4 n-count Your position in society is the role and the importance that you have in it.
usu with supp
...the position of older people in society.
5 n-count A position in a company or organization is a job.
FORMAL
(=post)
He left a career in teaching to take up a position with the Arts Council...
6 n-count Your position in a race or competition is how well you did in relation to the other competitors or how well you are doing.
usu supp N
By the ninth hour the car was running in eighth position.
7 n-count You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position.
usu sing, usu with supp
(=situation)
He's going to be in a very difficult position indeed if things go badly for him..., Companies should be made to reveal more about their financial position..., It was not the only time he found himself in this position.
8 n-count Your positionon a particular matter is your attitude towards it or your opinion of it.
FORMAL usu supp N
(=stance)
He could be depended on to take a moderate position on most of the key issues...
9 n-sing If you are in a positionto do something, you are able to do it. If you are in no positionto do something, you are unable to do it.
N to-inf
The UN system will be in a position to support the extensive relief efforts needed..., I am not in a position to comment.
10 If someone or something is in position, they are in their correct or usual place or arrangement.
in position phrase usu PHR after v This second door is an extra security measure and can be locked in position during the day..., Some 28,000 US troops are moving into position.
lotus position
If someone doing meditation or yoga is in thelotus position, they are sitting with their legs crossed and each foot resting on top of the opposite thigh. n-sing usu the N
missionary position
The missionary position is a position for sexual intercourse in which the man lies on top of the woman and they are facing each other. n-sing usu the N
pole position (pole positions plural )When a racing car is in pole position, it is in front of the other cars at the start of a race. n-uncount also N in pl
position paper (position papers plural )A position paper is a detailed report which usually explains or recommends a particular course of action. n-count
