situation

American  

[sich-oo-ey-shuhn] / ˌsɪtʃ uˈeɪ ʃən /

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 British  

/ 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

---

situation Idioms  

1. see no-win situation.

---

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

Related Words

See state. See position.

Other Word Forms

• situational adjective
• situationally adverb

Etymology

Origin of situation

First recorded in 1480–90, situation is from the Medieval Latin word situātiōn- (stem of situātiō ). See situate, -ion

Example Sentences

"There is no such situation; instead, what we realise is that the country is going further into an abyss."

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

We talk on the phone most days about the kids, life and whatever absurd situation the world has thrown at us.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

It is hoped pre-Games testing will prevent the cruel situation that Britain's bobsleigh team found themselves in.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The former President informed the Clinton Administration that he intended to take up a prior offer from the North Koreans to visit and try to defuse the situation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The two men had planned to keep the Maggie Fox situation as quiet as possible until Elisha came to his senses.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

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