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

Juye Hong, a South Korean university student, said her family and friends were "frantically texting, trying to make sense of this situation" which felt like "being thrown into a complete nightmare".

From BBC

It is a cliché to say that the gloves are off, but that is the situation Donald Trump has purposefully created.

From Salon

Her most recent single, 2022’s ‘Don’t Forget,” is unsparing about the situation: “Big dreams, sick dream, used to think God’s inside us all,” she sings.

From Los Angeles Times

If you are suffering in a similar situation, whether you’re 23 or 83, please reach out for help.

From Los Angeles Times

His parents called the situation "heartbreaking" and said they faced a "cliff-edge situation" without an alternative plan in place if he had to leave the college.

From BBC

Related Words

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