station

1 of 2

noun

sta·​tion ˈstā-shən How to pronounce station (audio)
1
a
: the place or position in which something or someone stands or is assigned to stand or remain
b
: any of the places in a manufacturing operation at which one part of the work is done
c
: equipment used usually by one person for performing a particular job
2
: the act or manner of standing : posture
3
: a stopping place: such as
a(1)
: a regular stopping place in a transportation route
a bus station
(2)
: the building connected with such a stopping place : depot sense 3
b
: one of the stations of the cross
4
a
: a post or sphere of duty or occupation
b
: a stock farm or ranch especially of Australia or New Zealand
5
: standing, rank
a woman of high station
6
: a place for specialized observation and study of scientific phenomena
a seismological station
a marine biological station
7
: a place established to provide a public service: such as
a(1)
b
: a branch post office
8
9
a
: a complete assemblage of radio or television equipment for transmitting or receiving
b
: the place in which such a station is located

station

2 of 2

verb

stationed; stationing ˈstā-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce station (audio)

transitive verb

: to assign to or set in a station or position : post entry 7
station a guard at the door

Examples of station in a Sentence

Noun They drove him to the bus station. The waiters were at their stations in the dining room. The sailors were ordered to man their battle stations. He had married above his station. They were aware of her station in life. Verb He stationed the guards around the camp. They stationed troops at the border. He stationed himself by the door to greet the guests.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The suspects drove away from the store in a white sedan, and officials asked anyone with information to contact the East Los Angeles sheriff’s station detective bureau at (323) 264-4151. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Historically, Azimut has not been known for functional details, but the 72 has a third steering station with joystick controls in the cockpit for easier docking, as well as a work area at the bow for crew members working the anchor. Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024 A number of cities have bought Beam Global’s portable stations to charge their municipal electric fleets, including San Diego and New York City. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024 The stretchers were normal for returning long-duration station fliers and all four appeared healthy and in good spirits. William Harwood, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, a super PAC supporting Mr. Trump has been running targeted ads on Black radio stations in three swing states. Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 A number of supermarkets, like Giant Eagle and Kroger, also operate fuel stations and offer rewards programs for discounts at the pump. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 Exit polls released after balloting stations closed on Sunday had suggested a clear center-right victory. Catarina Fernandes Martins, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Historically, Black country artists and women get little to no airtime on country radio stations. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
And in addition to comments about NATO, the former president has also criticized American defense pacts with Japan and South Korea – at several points appearing to threaten to pull US troops stationed in those allied countries. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 Then just a month before he was killed, Chappell received a steady stream of gifts from her son who was stationed in Kabul. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Iran initially responded to Soleimani’s killing with missile strikes against U.S. troops stationed at two bases in Iraq, which failed to kill any American soldiers. Peter Aitken, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2024 Agents stationed there encountered 250,611 migrants from October to January, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024 For Nakheel’s latest project, the long line of brokers and investors outside its sales office started to form overnight, prompting police to step in and patrol cars were stationed in the area. Zainab Fattah, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2024 More than 800 law enforcement officers were stationed in and around the rally for safety, authorities said. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2024 When the clip flashes back to the home, Williams is still stationed on the floor there — arms wrapped around an exhausted version of herself seeking comfort. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024 The two met in 1935 on one of Carson’s frequent trips home to Columbus, near an Army base where the twenty-one-year-old Reeves was stationed. Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stacioun, from Anglo-French estation, statiun, from Latin station-, statio, from stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1685, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of station was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near station

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

station

1 of 2 noun
sta·​tion ˈstā-shən How to pronounce station (audio)
1
: the place or position in which something or someone stands or is assigned to stand or remain
2
: a regular stopping place : depot
drove him to the bus station
3
a
: a post or area of duty or occupation
b
: a stock farm or ranch of Australia or New Zealand
4
: social or official position : rank
a person of high station
5
: a place for specialized scientific observation and study especially in or near the field or in natural surroundings
a biological station
a weather station
6
: a place established to provide a public service
police station
fire station
power station
7
a
: a complete collection of radio or television equipment for transmitting or receiving
b
: the place in which such a station is located

station

2 of 2 verb
stationed; stationing ˈstā-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce station (audio)
: to assign to or set in a station or position : post
station a guard at the door

Medical Definition

station

noun
sta·​tion ˈstā-shən How to pronounce station (audio)
1
: the place at which someone is positioned or is assigned to remain
the nurse's station on a hospital ward
2
: the act or manner of standing : posture
station was unsteady with the eyes open or closedDiseases of the Nervous System
3
: a place established to provide a service see aid station

More from Merriam-Webster on station

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