position

1 noun

1 STANDING/SITTING/POINTING ETC (C) the way someone stands or sits, or the direction in which an object, switch etc is pointing: I had to work in an uncomfortable position, lying under the car. | a sitting/kneeling/standing position: The prisoners were kept in a kneeling position. | a vertical/upright/horizontal position: Make sure the container remains in an upright position. | She turned the switch to the `on' position.

2 SITUATION (countable usually singular) the situation that someone is in, or the situation concerning a particular subject: What's the present position with regard to import restrictions? | in a good/strong/enviable etc position: Reuters are now in an enviable position in the news and current affairs industry. | in your/her etc position: I'm not sure what I'd do if I were in your position. | put sb in a difficult/awkward position: You're putting me in rather a difficult position.

3 LEVEL/RANK (C) someone's or something's level or rank in a society or organization

(+ in): the position of women in society | position of authority/influence: You need to ask someone in a position of authority. | position of trust/responsibility (=a position in which people depend on you to be honest or careful) | abuse your position (=use your authority wrongly)

4 OPINION (C) an opinion or judgment on a particular subject, especially the official opinion of a government, party, or someone in authority; attitude

(+ on): What's the party's position on tax reform? | take the position that: The principal took the position that the students didn't need music classes. | reconsider your position: The administration should reconsider its position.

5 PLACE WHERE SB/STH IS (C) the place where someone or something is, especially in relation to other objects and places: I checked our position by the compass. | the position of the sun in the sky | a strategic position (=one that is suitable for a particular purpose): He placed himself in a strategic position next to the doorway.

6 CORRECT PLACE (U) the place where someone or something is supposed to be: in position/out of position: After the shelves were in position we realized we'd forgotten to paint them. | One of the legs was out of position.

7 take up (your) position to move to a particular place so that you are ready to take part in a planned activity: Police marksmen took up their positions around the bank.

8 JOB (C) your job: Richard had to give up his position with the company. | hold a position (=have a particular job): She held the position of sales manager. | the position has been filled (=the company has found someone to do the job)

—see job

9 be in a position to do sth to be able to do something because you have the ability, money, or power to do it: When I know all the facts, I'll be in a position to advise you.

10 be in no position to do sth to be unable to do something because you do not have the ability, money or power to do it: While I'm unemployed, I'm in no position to support a family.

11 sb is in no position to talk spoken used to say that someone should not criticize another person, because they have made the same mistakes

12 RACE/COMPETITION (C, U) the place of someone or something in a race, competition, list etc: 2nd/3rd/4th position: Alesi has moved up into 3rd position.

13 SPORT (C) the place where someone plays in a game of football, hockey etc: “What position do you play?”

14 be in a position of strength to be in a situation in which you should be able to succeed or win: workers bargaining from a position of strength

15 jockey/manoeuvre/jostle for position to try to get an advantage over other people who are all trying to succeed in doing the same thing: On the eve of the election the candidates were all jockeying for position.

16 ARMY (C) a place where an army has put soldiers, guns etc: UN forces attacked Serb military positions around Sarajevo.

17 SEX (C) one of the ways in which two people can have sex: Most people prefer face-to-face positions.

USAGE NOTE: POSITION WORD CHOICE: place, position, location, spot, where Place is the usual word you use to talk about where something is or happens: the place where I was born | one of the coldest places in the world Position is used to talk about the place where something is in relation to other things or places: Plant the flowers in a sunny position. | a plan that shows the position of everything in the room Location is a more formal word for a place where someone works or lives, or where something is built. It may be used, for example, in business English or in advertising: The company has found a new location for its offices. | a hotel in an extremely attractive location Spot is a more informal word used especially for a pleasant place: This part of the beach is my favourite spot. In spoken English you usually use where, anywhere, somewhere, someplace etc instead of these words: I'll show you where I was born. | She looked everywhere, but still couldn't find the letter. | Can we put the TV someplace else? | It depends on where they are from. 2 verb (T) to put something in a particular position: Position the cursor before the letter you want to delete.