posture

[ pos-cher ]

/ ˈpɒs tʃər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR posture ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the relative disposition of the parts of something.

the position of the limbs or the carriage of the body as a whole: poor posture; a sitting posture.

an affected or unnatural attitude: He struck a comic posture.

a mental or spiritual attitude: His ideas reveal a defensive posture.

one's image or policy as perceived by the public, other nations, etc.: The company wants to develop a more aggressive marketing posture.

position, condition, or state, as of affairs.

verb (used with object), pos·tured, pos·tur·ing.

to place in a particular posture or attitude.

to position, especially strategically: to posture troops along a border.

to develop a policy or stance for (oneself, a company, government, etc.): The White House postured itself for dealing with the fuel crisis.

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), pos·tured, pos·tur·ing.

to assume a particular posture.

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

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

Nearby words

Origin of posture

1595–1605; < French < Italian postura < Latin positūra. See posit, -ure

SYNONYMS FOR posture

2 See position.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR posture ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formspos·tur·al, adjectivepos·tur·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for posture

He throws every fiber of his being into each performance, altering his posture, elocution, temperament, and more.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’|Marlow Stern|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The researchers found that certain parameters, such as walking speed and posture, can affect the recognition of emotion.
Japan's Robots Are Reading Your Emotions|Angela Erika Kubo, Jake Adelstein|August 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When we need a strong, cooperative tone to the relationship, our current posture is seen as uncaring.
Let's Get Real: Washington Can't Walk Away From Cairo|Frank G. Wisner|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Were they to amend their posture, they would only be further isolating themselves.
Obama Gambles Iran Nuke Talks to Punish Putin|Josh Rogin, Eli Lake|March 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Each step focuses on a different part of the guided meditation practice such as “breath”, “posture” and “mindset”.
These 7 iPhone Apps for Meditation Make Us Want To Inhale, Exhale, Inhale, Exhale|Courtney Boyd Myers|January 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The wether was lying sprawled on the ground, in a posture that nature neither intends nor permits.
Buff: A Collie and other dog-stories|Albert Payson Terhune
This, of course, explains why posture is less fatiguing than other forms of activity.
Physiology|Ernest G. Martin
To a less degree visual signs also are involved: posture and facial expression of the subject, and movements of eyes and lips.
Clever Hans|Oskar Pfungst
He lay there, quietly, on his side, in a posture of utter resignation to anguish.
A Journal of Impressions in Belgium|May Sinclair
I hope we shall soon be in such a posture of defense as to bid them defiance.
Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams During the Revolution|John Adams

British Dictionary definitions for posture

posture

/ (ˈpɒstʃə) /

noun

a position or attitude of the limbs or body

a characteristic manner of bearing the body; carriageto have good posture

the disposition of the parts of a visible object

a mental attitude or frame of mind

a state, situation, or condition

a false or affected attitude; pose

verb

to assume or cause to assume a bodily position or attitude

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

Derived Formspostural, adjectiveposturer, noun

Word Origin for posture

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

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

Word Origin and History for posture (1 of 2)

posture

c.1600, from French posture (16c.), from Italian postura "position, posture," from Latin positura "position, station," from postulus, past participle of ponere "put, place" (see position (n.)).

Word Origin and History for posture (1 of 2)

posture

1620s, literal, from posture (n.). The figurative sense of "take up an artificial mental position" is attested from 1877. Related: Postured; posturing.

Medicine definitions for posture

posture

[ pŏs′chər ]

n.

A position of the body or of body parts.

A characteristic or prescribed way of bearing one's body; carriage.

posture

noun

verb (used with object), pos·tured, pos·tur·ing.

verb (used without object), pos·tured, pos·tur·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of posture

Examples from the Web for posture

British Dictionary definitions for posture

posture

noun

verb

Word Origin for posture

Word Origin and History for posture (1 of 2)

posture

Word Origin and History for posture (1 of 2)

posture

Medicine definitions for posture

posture

n.