situation

noun

sit·​u·​a·​tion ˌsi-chə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce situation (audio)
1
a
: the way in which something is placed in relation to its surroundings
b
: site
c
archaic : locality
2
archaic : state of health
3
a
: position or place of employment : post entry 6, job
b
: position in life : status
4
: position with respect to conditions and circumstances
5
a
: relative position or combination of circumstances at a certain moment
b
: a critical, trying, or unusual state of affairs : problem
c
: a particular or striking complex of affairs at a stage in the action of a narrative or drama

Examples of situation in a Sentence

He's in a bad situation. You may find yourself in a situation where you lose control of the vehicle. How is your financial situation? I'm worried about the current political situation. My parents are retired and in a good situation. I have a situation that I have to deal with at the moment. The house is in a wonderful situation overlooking the valley.
Recent Examples on the Web The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the diplomatically and politically sensitive situation. John Hudson, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Never mind that another video of Reese, consoling and conversing with Johnson as the referees sorted out the situation, had surfaced on social media, as well. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile states are responsible for regulating their own insurance markets, to avert situations where insurers can exploit vulnerabilities in the market and raise rates unreasonably. Amy Green, WIRED, 16 Mar. 2024 But this analysis, along with the development of the American economy, suggest that there really are red and blue housing situations. Byalena Botros, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 The organization shipped the food from Cyprus on the Open Arms ship, which belongs to a Spanish nonprofit that helps vulnerable people in emergency situations. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2024 Flamingo Camp strikes me as the most chill, put together encampment in Slab City, a site that focuses less on individual anarchic self-expression than a communal, co-op living situation in an area that’s basically off the grid. Jonah Gercke, SPIN, 15 Mar. 2024 The backward situation is going to increase until a moment when no one knows what will happen. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 The situation is stable, as long as no one oversteps the boundaries of a delicate agreement. Alma Guillermoprieto, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'situation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of situation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near situation

Cite this Entry

“Situation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/situation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

situation

noun
sit·​u·​a·​tion ˌsich-ə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce situation (audio)
1
a
: the way in which something is placed in relation to its surroundings
2
a
: a position or place of employment : post, job
b
: position in life : status
3
: position with respect to conditions and circumstances
the military situation
4
: relative position or combination of events and conditions at a particular moment

Medical Definition

situation

noun
sit·​u·​a·​tion ˌsich-ə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce situation (audio)
1
: the way in which something is placed in relation to its surroundings
2
: the total set of physical, social, and psychocultural factors that act upon an individual in orienting and conditioning his or her behavior
3
: relative position or combination of circumstances at a particular moment

More from Merriam-Webster on situation

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