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

Other Word Forms

• situational adjective
• situationally 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

Andrew Cheung, who was visiting New York from Seattle, said that after receiving the email he spoke to two Marriott loyalty-program representatives, but neither was aware of the situation at first.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It's a complex situation, involving people from different local communities wanting a slice of the bus income, but Mr Caballero is adamant that Consettur is not a monopoly.

Read more on BBC

Now, with more food allowed to enter, the situation has improved.

Read more on BBC

When asked in 2017 about the banning of tour groups, China's foreign ministry spokesperson said that he "had not heard about the situation".

Read more on BBC

He went on to express the superstitions some officers have about tackling rogue herbalists: "I will not go and provoke situations. I know that they have their own powers that are beyond my knowledge."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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