posture

[pos-cher]

noun

1. the relative disposition of the parts of something.

2. the position of the limbs or the carriage of the body as a whole.

   poor posture; a sitting posture.

3. an affected or unnatural attitude.

   He struck a comic posture.

4. a mental or spiritual attitude.

   His ideas reveal a defensive posture.

5. one's image or policy as perceived by the public, other nations, etc..

   The company wants to develop a more aggressive marketing posture.

6. position, condition, or state, as of affairs.

verb (used with object)

postured, posturing 

1. to place in a particular posture or attitude.

2. to position, especially strategically.

   to posture troops along a border.

3. to develop a policy or stance for (oneself, a company, government, etc.).

   The White House postured itself for dealing with the fuel crisis.

4. to adopt an attitude or take an official position on (a matter).

   The company postured that the court's ruling could be interpreted as being in its favor.

verb (used without object)

postured, posturing 

1. to assume a particular posture.

2. to assume affected or unnatural postures, as by bending or contorting the body.

3. to act in an affected or artificial manner, as to create a certain impression.

posture

/ ˈpɒstʃə /

noun

1. a position or attitude of the limbs or body

2. a characteristic manner of bearing the body; carriage

   to have good posture

3. the disposition of the parts of a visible object

4. a mental attitude or frame of mind

5. a state, situation, or condition

6. a false or affected attitude; pose

verb

1. to assume or cause to assume a bodily position or attitude

2. (intr) to assume an affected or unnatural bodily or mental posture; pose

Other Word Forms

• postural adjective
• posturer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of posture¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from French, from Italian postura, from Latin positūra. See posit, -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of posture¹

C17: via French from Italian postura, from Latin positūra, from pōnere to place

Synonym Study

See position.

Example Sentences

That posturing might have worked if he were younger or more energetic.

Read more on Salon

I’m laying out an interpretation that brushes away Mr. Putin’s great-man posturing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It would almost be cute, if not for the sprawling, chaotic posture she’s assumed on the basement couch.

Read more on Literature

Luckily, Julia’s poor posture and lack of intellect proved to be her good qualities.

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Miss Mortimer adjusted her posture until her back was straight as a yardstick.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• attitude 
• disposition 
• feeling 
• frame of mind 
• mood 
• outlook 
• sentiment 
• stance