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position

position

957 3.2
A person's job or rank in a group like a company
  • noun
  • /pəˈzɪʃən/
translation icon : puesto
  • I can offer you a permanent position.
  • a leadership position
  • hold a position
  • an administrative position

So she's in a much greater position than than he is.

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Examples

  • Donald Adcock was named to fill that position until the conclusion of the project.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Academic success can guarantee a person a position as the leading official in the government.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Are you suddenly in a position where you can just walk away?

  • Some people are jealous of my position in the capital and they want Department Six for themselves.

  • Well, I've now been in that Co chair position for five years.

  • Police Chief J. A. Fountain took this position in an interview with the Macon News.

    Academic text (2011)
  • School librarians are accustomed to their position as a unique species in their school environment.

    Academic text (2012)
  • In early June 2008, I interviewed for the media specialist position at Beaufort Elementary School.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The teacher librarian had always hoped this position would eventually become part of the iCentre team.

    Academic text (2015)
  • I was thrilled to receive the offer for the position of project manager at the company.

Synonyms

role
vsposition
1.3

The job and duties someone has in a group or situation

is wider, covering both duties and the person's social or job rank
place
vsposition
1.6

A position or rank in a competition

is wider, including everyday job roles and social or professional rank
office
vsposition
1.6

A job with official power in a government or organization

is more general, covering any job, rank, or social role
post
vsposition
560 3.1

A job or position in an organization where someone works

is broader, also including general social rank and nonassigned roles
title
vsposition
513 2.1

A name that shows a person's rank, job or honor

is the general concept including actual job, role, and social standing
status
vsposition
512 2.7

A person's social or professional position compared with others

focuses more on the concrete job or role as well as rank
rank
vsposition
304 3.2

A position in a group that shows someone's status or authority

also covers nonhierarchical roles and regular job placements, not only levels
standing
vsposition
217 3.7

The level of respect or place someone has in a group

is more general, covering formal job roles and wider social rank
capacity
vsposition
136 4.6

The role someone has when they act for a group or organization

adds the notion of social or professional rank beyond just function
station
vsposition
  • Formal
95 6.3

A person's social rank or place in society

covers that social rank but also job roles and organizational posts
berth
vsposition
21 6.2

A job in an organization that many people want

is neutral and wider, covering any job, role, or social rank
social status
vsposition
13 4.1

A person's place in society based on money, job, or family

includes both job role and social rank within organizations and society
directorship
vsposition
4 6.2

The job of being a leader in a company or organization who helps make important decisions

is broader, applying to many job types and general social ranks
social station
vsposition
  • Formal
1 6.6

A person's place in a community based on wealth or rank

adds the idea of specific job or role as well as social place
social rank
vsposition
1 3.8

A person's position in society based on wealth, family, or job

is broader, also including professional roles and organizational rank

The amount of respect and authority a person has in a company

is broader, applying to society and to formal job roles too
high on the totem pole
vsposition
  • Informal
7.9

In a position of power or importance in a group

is broader, applying to ordinary jobs, roles, and general social rank

Compounds

A situation that gives someone more power in talks or competition

5 6.0

A document that explains a group or person's view and gives reasons about an issue

The place at the front of the race where the fastest racer starts

3 5.3

A sexual position where a man lies on top of a woman facing her

A job at a high level with much responsibility

lotus position
  • Specialized
2 6.8

A way of sitting with legs crossed and each foot on the opposite thigh used for yoga and meditation

A situation that gives someone an advantage over others

A place where soldiers stay to fight or defend

cowgirl position
  • Offensive
1 9.1

A way of having sex where one partner lies on their back and the other sits on top facing them

6.1

The fourth batter in the batting order, usually the team's best hitter

angular position
  • Specialized
6.8

The direction a line or object points, measured as an angle

8.9

An elected local government role that a council member holds

ballet position
  • Specialized
5.1

A traditional body pose used in ballet, often showing the feet

lithotomy position
  • Specialized
9.8

A way of lying on the back with knees bent and thighs apart for vaginal or rectal exams

An official government policy about using the armed forces

A job that is no longer needed because of company changes or new technology

position effect
  • Specialized
8.6

Change in how a gene works when it moves to a new place on a chromosome

senior position
  • Specialized
6.9

A debt repaid before other debts if a company goes bankrupt

A person standing facing forward with arms at sides and palms forward, used as a reference for describing the body

A situation where someone has less chance to win or succeed

The side that faces the wind

How Senior

director
3.0
executive
533 4.5
position
957 3.2
novice
46 3.4

Surface Forms

position singular
positions plural

Morphology

position = posit (semi-transparent) = posit + ion

The meaning 'social or professional rank' is an extended/metaphorical sense from physical place (being 'in a position') rather than a strictly compositional meaning.

Etymology

Position comes from an old Latin word positio from ponere, which means 'to put'. Long ago people thought of rank as the 'place' you are put in society, so position also means your job or social rank today.