situation

[ sich-oo-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. manner of being situated; location or position with reference to environment:

   The situation of the house allowed for a beautiful view.

   Synonyms: site

2. a place or locality.
3. condition; case; plight:

   He is in a desperate situation.

4. the state of affairs; combination of circumstances:

   The present international situation is dangerous.

5. a position or post of employment; job.
6. a state of affairs of special or critical significance in the course of a play, novel, etc.
7. Sociology. the aggregate of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors acting on an individual or group to condition behavioral patterns.

situation

/ ˌsɪtjʊˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. physical placement, esp with regard to the surroundings
2. 1. state of affairs; combination of circumstances
   2. a complex or critical state of affairs in a novel, play, etc
3. social or financial status, position, or circumstances
4. a position of employment; post

Usage

Situation is often used in contexts in which it is redundant or imprecise. Typical examples are: the company is in a crisis situation or people in a job situation. In the first example, situation does not add to the meaning and should be omitted. In the second example, it would be clearer and more concise to substitute a phrase such as people at work

Derived Forms

• ˌsituˈational, adjective

Other Words From

• situ·ation·al adjective
• situ·ation·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of situation¹

First recorded in 1480–90, situation is from the Medieval Latin word situātiōn- (stem of situātiō ). See situate, -ion

Idioms and Phrases

see no-win situation .

Synonym Study

See state. See position.

Example Sentences

Looking back, Smith says, “we were really toxic together. It wasn’t a healthy situation.”

From Los Angeles Times

Beyond this, there is a chance that if the geopolitical situation calms, that over the course of this year, gas prices fall significantly.

From BBC

But, there is concern about the impact the situation is having, and will have, on people's finances.

From BBC

Though the events it depicts took place more than a half-century ago, Sarsgaard anticipates that some moviegoers will bring their own feelings about the current situation in the Middle East to the theater.

From Los Angeles Times

Department of Agriculture operates natural disaster relief programs for eligible farmers that aim to help repair damage to farmlands, provide financial assistance or offer emergency loans, depending on their situation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• case
• condition
• place
• plight
• position
• scene