preposition

1
[ prep-uh-zish-uhn ]

nounGrammar.
  1. any member of a class of words found in many languages that are used before nouns, pronouns, or other substantives to form phrases functioning as modifiers of verbs, nouns, or adjectives, and that typically express a spatial, temporal, or other relationship, as in, on, by, to, since.

Origin of preposition

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English preposicioun, from Latin praepositiōn-, stem of praepositiō “a putting before, a prefix, preposition”; see pre-, position

Grammar notes for preposition

The often heard but misleading “rule” that a sentence should not end with a preposition is transferred from Latin, where it is an accurate description of practice. But English grammar is different from Latin grammar, and the rule does not fit English. In speech, the final preposition is normal and idiomatic, especially in questions: What are we waiting for? Where did he come from? You didn't tell me which floor you worked on. In writing, the problem of placing the preposition arises most when a sentence ends with a relative clause in which the relative pronoun ( that; whom; which; whomever; whichever; whomsoever ) is the object of a preposition. In edited writing, especially more formal writing, when a pronoun other than that introduces a final relative clause, the preposition usually precedes its object: He abandoned the project to which he had devoted his whole life. I finally telephoned the representative with whom I had been corresponding. If the pronoun is that, which cannot be preceded by a preposition, or if the pronoun is omitted, then the preposition must occur at the end: The librarian found the books that the child had scribbled in. There is the woman he spoke of.

Other words from preposition

  • prep·o·si·tion·al, adjective
  • prep·o·si·tion·al·ly, adverb
  • non·prep·o·si·tion·al, adjective
  • non·prep·o·si·tion·al·ly, adverb
  • qua·si-prep·o·si·tion·al, adjective
  • qua·si-prep·o·si·tion·al·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with preposition

Other definitions for preposition (2 of 2)

preposition2

or pre-po·si·tion

[ pree-puh-zish-uhn ]

verb (used with object)
  1. to position in advance or beforehand: to preposition troops in anticipated trouble spots.

Origin of preposition

2
First recorded in 1960–65; pre- + position

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use preposition in a sentence

  • The need to respond on a moment's notice adds to the value of airlift and prepositioned ships.

    Shock and Awe | Harlan K. Ullman

British Dictionary definitions for preposition

preposition

/ (ˌprɛpəˈzɪʃən) /


noun
  1. a word or group of words used before a noun or pronoun to relate it grammatically or semantically to some other constituent of a sentence: Abbreviation: prep

Origin of preposition

1
C14: from Latin praepositiō a putting before, from pōnere to place

usage For preposition

The practice of ending a sentence with a preposition (Venice is a place I should like to go to) was formerly regarded as incorrect, but is now acceptable and is the preferred form in many contexts

Derived forms of preposition

  • prepositional, adjective
  • prepositionally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for preposition

preposition

A part of speech that indicates the relationship, often spatial, of one word to another. For example, “She paused at the gate”; “This tomato is ripe for picking”; and “They talked the matter over head to head.” Some common prepositions are at, by, for, from, in, into, on, to, and with.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.