Noun / Verb B1 — Intermediate /pəˈzɪʃ.ən/

Position — Definition, Examples & Pronunciation

A place, a role, or a viewpoint — one word, three powerful meanings.

Quick Definition

Position (noun) — a place where someone or something is located; a job or role in an organisation; a way of thinking about something. Position (verb) — to place someone or something carefully in a particular spot.

What Does Position Mean?

Position comes from Latin positio (a placing, a location), derived from ponere (to put or place). It entered English in the late 14th century via Old French posicion. The same root gives English propose, compose, deposit, expose, and impose — all sharing the central idea of placing or putting.

In modern English, position carries three distinct but related meanings. First, a physical location: where something is in space — "the goalkeeper moved into position". Second, a job or role: a formal place within an organisation — "she was offered a senior position". Third, a stance or viewpoint: where you stand on an issue — "the government clarified its position on climate policy".

Used as a verb, position means to place deliberately: "he positioned the microphone close to the speaker". The verb is particularly common in business English — "the brand has positioned itself as a premium product" — and in sport and military contexts. Understanding all three uses is essential for reading newspapers, writing formal English, and succeeding in IELTS or Cambridge examinations.

Example Sentences

SentenceLevel / Note
What position do you play in the team — defender or midfielder?A2 — sport, simple question
Her position on the course changed from beginner to intermediate in just six months.B1 — level or rank in a group
The manager advertised a new position in the marketing department last week.B1 — job role
The government's position on the matter shifted significantly after the report was published.B2 — official stance or viewpoint
Having positioned itself as a low-cost carrier, the airline struggled to attract business travellers.C1 — verb, strategic/business context

Collocations

CollocationExample
hold a positionShe held the position of head teacher for twelve years.
apply for a positionOver 200 candidates applied for the position.
senior positionHe was finally promoted to a senior position in the firm.
take a positionThe committee refused to take a position on the controversial issue.
be in a position toI am not in a position to discuss the details at present.
make your position clearThe prime minister made her position on the treaty absolutely clear.
a difficult positionThe unexpected news put the company in a very difficult position.
playing positionThe coach asked him to switch to a different playing position.
well positionedThe business is well positioned to expand into new markets.
GPS positionThe rescue team tracked the hiker's GPS position throughout the night.

Usage Notes

Three Key Uses to Know

  • Physical location: Use position when you want precision — a specific spot relative to other things. "The ship's position was recorded every six hours." Compare with place, which is broader and more general.
  • Job / role: Position is more formal than job and is preferred in official contexts such as job advertisements, CVs, and business writing. "We have a position available in our accounts team."
  • Viewpoint / stance: In academic, political, and news writing, position describes a considered public stance. It is stronger and more formal than opinion. "The union stated its position clearly." You may also encounter "position paper" — a document setting out an organisation's official view.
  • Verb use: "Position" as a verb often appears in passive or reflexive structures: "The troops were positioned along the border." / "The company has positioned itself as a market leader."

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

She has a very important position of work in the hospital.

She has a very important position at the hospital. (use at, not of work)

What is your position about this problem?

What is your position on this problem? (use on for stance/viewpoint, not about)

He positioned himself in a good position near the window.

He positioned himself near the window. (avoid repeating the root word — use placed himself or rephrase)

Related Words

place role level point view opinion situation location job post

Synonyms

location place spot post role stance viewpoint status

Antonyms

displacement absence neutrality

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “position”

What does position mean in English?
Position has three main meanings: (1) a location or place — 'The ship's position was recorded every hour'; (2) a job or role — 'She applied for a senior position at the company'; (3) a viewpoint or stance — 'What is your position on this issue?' It can also be used as a verb meaning to place something carefully.
Is position a noun or a verb?
Position is both a noun and a verb. As a noun: 'He held the position of manager for five years.' As a verb: 'She positioned the chairs in a circle before the meeting.' The verb form is slightly more formal and is common in business and academic writing.
What is the difference between position and place?
Both refer to location, but position often implies something more precise or deliberate — a specific spot relative to other things. Place is broader and more general. You would say 'the position of the goalkeeper on the pitch' (precise, strategic) but 'a nice place to eat' (general location). Position also has the additional meanings of job role and viewpoint that place does not share.
How do you use position in a sentence?
As a noun: 'What position do you play?' / 'She was promoted to a senior position.' / 'The party changed its position on tax reform.' As a verb: 'He positioned himself near the exit.' The verb is often used in passive or reflexive constructions: 'The company is well positioned to benefit from the changes.'
What are common collocations with position?
Common collocations include: hold a position, apply for a position, take a position (on an issue), be in a position (to do something), senior/junior position, job position, make your position clear, a difficult position, and a strong position. In sport: playing position, defensive position.
What is the difference between position and opinion?
Both can mean a viewpoint, but position is stronger and more formal. An opinion is a personal belief that may be loosely held. A position implies a considered, official, or publicly stated stance — especially in politics, law, or negotiation. 'The government's position on immigration' is more formal than 'my opinion on immigration'.
What does 'be in a position to' mean?
The phrase 'be in a position to do something' means to have the ability, authority, or circumstances needed to do it. For example: 'I am not in a position to comment on that.' It is common in formal and professional English to politely decline or explain a limitation.
What is the adjective form of position?
The most common adjective form is 'positional', used mainly in technical or specialist contexts: 'positional advantage', 'positional play in chess'. More commonly, the noun is used as a modifier: 'a position change', 'a position paper'. The past participle 'positioned' also works as an adjective: 'a well-positioned business'.
What is the origin of the word position?
Position comes from Latin 'positio' (a placing, a position), from 'ponere' (to put or place). It entered English in the late 14th century via Old French 'posicion'. The same Latin root gives English words such as 'propose', 'compose', 'deposit', 'expose', and 'impose' — all sharing the idea of placing or putting.
How can I practise using position in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to see position used in authentic contexts, or use Flash Cards to practise position alongside related words such as place, location, role, and stance. Reading job advertisements and news articles is an excellent way to observe all three meanings of position in natural use.