- [countable] the place where somebody/something is located
- Where would be the best position for the lights?
- from a/your position From his position on the cliff top, he had a good view of the harbour.
- She looked down over the scene from a raised position.
- in a position These plants will grow well in a sheltered position.
- The hotel stands in an elevated position looking out over the lake.
Synonyms placeplacesite ▪ area ▪ position ▪ point ▪ location ▪ scene ▪ spot ▪ venueThese are all words for a particular area or part of an area, especially one used for a particular purpose or where somebody/something is situated or happens.place a particular point, area, city, town, building, etc., especially one used for a particular purpose or where a particular thing happens:- This would be a good place for a picnic.
- They’ve chosen a site for the new school.
- the hotel reception area
- Move the cursor to a blank area on the screen.
- From his position at the top of the hill, he could see the harbour.
- the point at which the river divides
- The company is moving to a new location.
- the scene of the accident
- The lake is one of the local beauty spots.
- at a place/site/position/point/location/scene/spot/venue
- in a(n) place/area/position/location/venue
- the place/site/point/location/spot/venue where…
- the right place/site/position/location/spot/venue
- a central site/position/location/venue
- the/somebody’s/something’s exact/precise place/site/position/point/location/spot
Extra Examples- Could you tell us your exact position please?
- Radars determine the aircraft's position.
- This device tracks the ship's position and orientation.
- Throughout the house, the position and size of each window is carefully calculated.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- correct
- exact
- central
- …
- take
- take up
- jostle for
- …
- in position
- into position
- out of position
- …
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- [countable, uncountable] the place where somebody/something is meant to be; the correct place
- He took up his position by the door.
- in position Is everybody in position?
- The dancers all got into position.
- She was learning to change her hand from first to third position (= on the strings of a violin).
Extra Examples- Fix the pieces in position before gluing them together.
- Hordes of journalists jostled for position outside the conference hall.
- The guards took up their positions on either side of the door.
- Two of his vertebrae had slipped out of position.
- The players returned to their starting positions and began again.
- The wall panels are hoisted into position by a crane.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- correct
- exact
- central
- …
- take
- take up
- jostle for
- …
- in position
- into position
- out of position
- …
- [countable, uncountable] the way in which somebody is sitting or standing, or the way in which something is arranged
- a sitting/standing/kneeling position
- My arms were aching so I shifted (my) position slightly.
- The soldiers had to stand for hours without changing position.
- in a… position Keep the box in an upright position.
- Make sure that you are working in a comfortable position.
- She moved the seat into a reclining position.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- comfortable
- uncomfortable
- crouched
- …
- assume
- change
- shift
- …
- [countable, usually singular] the situation that somebody is in, especially when it affects what they can and cannot do
- The company's financial position is not certain.
- The company hopes to maintain its position as market leader.
- in your position What would you do in my position?
- in a… position This put him and his colleagues in a difficult position.
- This recent sale puts us in a strong position.
- to be in a position of power/strength/authority
- in a position to do something I'm afraid I am not in a position to help you.
- You are in no position to complain.
Synonyms situationsituationcircumstances ▪ position ▪ conditions ▪ things ▪ the case ▪ state of affairsThese are all words for the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect the way things are.situation all the things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place:- the present economic situation
- The ship sank in mysterious circumstances.
- She felt she was in a position of power.
- We were forced to work outside in freezing conditions.
- Hi, Jane! How are things?
- Think things over before you decide.
- If that is the case (= if the situation described is true), we need more staff.
- How did this unhappy state of affairs come about?
- in (a) particular situation/circumstances/position/state of affairs
- the/somebody’s economic/financial/social situation/circumstances/position/conditions
- (a/an) happy/unhappy situation/circumstances/position/state of affairs
- to look at/review the situation/the circumstances/the conditions/things
Extra Examples- He left the club in a precarious financial position with debts of £36 million.
- I was in the embarrassing position of having completely forgotten her name.
- It has taken years to achieve the position we are now in.
- It put me in an awkward position when he asked me to keep a secret.
- Film has always had a dominant position in the entertainment industry.
- She was put in the difficult position of having to betray her friends.
- They are in a better position than most to understand his needs.
- We are all in the same position.
- As a teacher, you were in a position of trust.
- I was in no position to judge them.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- business
- economic
- financial
- …
- achieve
- attain
- reach
- …
- in a/the position
- position of
- [countable] an opinion on or an attitude towards a particular subject
- She has made her position very clear.
- to change/reconsider/shift your position
- position on something the party’s position on education reforms
- position that… My parents always took the position that early nights meant healthy children.
Extra ExamplesTopics Opinion and argumentb2- The managing director was urged to reconsider his position on the takeover.
- He took an extreme position on religious matters.
- The country's official position is that there is no famine in the area.
- The official position was that of refusing to talk to terrorists.
- We take a strong position on artificial growth hormones in our cows.
- She refuses to take a position on this controversial issue.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- extreme
- ideological
- philosophical
- …
- adopt
- take
- defend
- …
- position on
- [countable, uncountable] a person or organization’s level of importance when compared with others
- the position of women in society
- the company’s dominant position in the world market
- Atkins occupies a remarkable position in the history of photography.
- Wealth and position (= high social status) were not important to her.
Extra Examples- They occupy a lowly position in society.
- I'm afraid my position within the organization is not very high.
- This latest novel confirms her pre-eminent position among today's writers.
- His main aim is to improve his social position.
- Their obvious desperation strengthens our bargaining position.
- the trading position of the British economy
- the role and position of farm workers in our society
- This film consolidates his position as one of the most exciting directors in Europe.
- The officials have abused their position by accepting bribes.
- We are trying to improve our competitive position in a global market.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- first
- second
- etc.
- …
- establish
- gain
- secure
- …
- position among
- position in
- a position of authority
- a position of influence
- a position of power
- …
- [countable] (formal) a job synonym post
- He held a senior position in a large company.
- I should like to apply for the position of Sales Director.
- They are advertising for a clinic coordinator and hope to fill the position by June.
- We need more women in leadership positions.
Synonyms jobjobposition ▪ post ▪ vacancy ▪ appointmentThese are all words for a position doing work for which you receive regular payment.job work for which you receive regular payment:- He’s trying to get a job in a bank.
- a senior position in a large corporation
- a key post in the new government
- We have several vacancies for casual workers.
- This is a permanent appointment, requiring commitment and hard work.
- a permanent/temporary job/position/post/vacancy/appointment
- a full-time/part-time job/position/post/vacancy/appointment
- to have/have got a(n) job/position/post/vacancy/appointment
- to apply for/fill a job/position/post/vacancy
- to resign from/leave/quit a job/position/post
Extra ExamplesTopics Working lifeb2- She has taken up a key position in our head office.
- She was offered the position of general manager.
- He's been promoted from his previous position as team coach.
- Please tell us about your previous position, and what salary you earned.
- She will assume the position of director next month.
- We anticipate that this position will be made full-time shortly.
- He resigned from his position of twenty years and started out on his own.
- I have held positions of responsibility in several companies.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- full-time
- part-time
- current
- …
- have
- hold
- occupy
- …
- in a/the position
- position at
- position in
- …
- [countable] a place in a race, competition, or test, when compared to others
- United's 3–0 win moved them up to third position.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- correct
- exact
- central
- …
- take
- take up
- jostle for
- …
- in position
- into position
- out of position
- …
- [countable] the place where somebody plays and the responsibilities they have in some team games
- What position does he play?
- Nakata had to play out of position when the defender was injured.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- correct
- exact
- central
- …
- take
- take up
- jostle for
- …
- in position
- into position
- out of position
- …
- [countable, usually plural] a place where a group of people involved in fighting have put men and guns
- They attacked the enemy positions at dawn.
- The defence stuck firmly to its position.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- correct
- exact
- central
- …
- take
- take up
- jostle for
- …
- in position
- into position
- out of position
- …
place
way somebody/something is placed
situation
opinion
level of importance
job
in race/competition
in sport
in war
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French, from Latin positio(n-), from ponere ‘to place’. The current sense of the verb dates from the early 19th cent.
Check pronunciation:
position