1 a [count] : the place where someone or something is in relation to other people or things
▪ From this position, you can see all of New York City's skyline. ▪ The chart shows the positions [=locations] of the constellations in the night sky.
b [noncount] : the place where someone or something should be — used after in, into, or out of ▪ The actors were all in position. ▪ The nail fell out of position before I could hammer it. ▪ He maneuvered the car into position. ▪ The defensive players fell back into position. ▪ Police were in position to catch the fleeing suspect. ▪ The switch is in the on position, but nothing is happening. 2 a : the way someone stands, sits, or lies down [count] ▪ Actors, please assume/take 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. [noncount] ▪ I was uncomfortable, so I shifted position. — see also fetal position
b [count] : the way something is arranged or placed
▪ Return your seat to an upright position for landing. 3 [count] : the situation that someone or something is in — usually singular ▪ I've been in your position before, so I think I can help you. ▪ The company's financial position has worsened over the past year. ▪ The manager was placed in the awkward/difficult position of having to lay off dozens of workers. ▪ Put yourself in my position for a moment. What would you do? ▪ He is in a position of power/authority. ▪ I'm in no position to lend you any money. [=I cannot lend you any money] 4 [count] : an opinion or judgment on a particular subject
▪ The Supreme Court has taken the position that the First Amendment does not apply in these kinds of cases. ▪ Allow me to explain my position. — often + on ▪ I was forced to rethink my positions on certain issues. ▪ He criticized his opponent for not taking a position on gun control. 5 : the rank or role of someone or something in an organization or society [count] ▪ He rose to a position of leadership and authority. ▪ They dedicated their lives to improving the position of women in a male-dominated society. [noncount] ▪ Wealth and position are not important to her. 6 [count] : job
▪ Does your company have any entry-level positions available? ▪ The position has been filled. [=someone has been hired for the job] ▪ Requirements for the position include a master's degree and at least five years of work experience. ▪ She was named to the position of senior vice president of marketing. 7 : the place of someone or something in a race, contest, competition, etc. [count] ▪ She finished the race in fourth position. [noncount] ▪ The cars jockeyed for position in the first lap of the race. [=each car tried to get into a better position in the first lap of the race] ▪ The candidates jockeyed for position in the debates. [=they tried to do better than others in the debates] — see also pole position 8 [count] sports : the particular place and job of a player on a sports team
▪ I think goalie is the hardest position to play in hockey. 9 [count] : a place where an army has put soldiers, guns, etc. — usually plural ▪ Artillery bombarded our positions.