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situation

noun
sit·​u·​a·​tion | \ ˌsi-chə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce situation (audio) \

Definition of situation

1a : the way in which something is placed in relation to its surroundings
b : site
c archaic : locality
2 archaic : state of health
3a : position or place of employment : post, job
b : position in life : status
4 : position with respect to conditions and circumstances
5a : 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
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about situation

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The centennial of the riots marks an opportunity to change that situation. — Madeline Fitzgerald, Time, "Ensuring the Chicago Race Riot Is Not Forgotten, With Inspiration from Germany's Holocaust Memorials," 27 July 2019 Entertainers and liberal politicians have weighed in on the situation, and so has Trump. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Why Trump Cares About A$AP Rocky’s Sweden Arrest," 27 July 2019 Luckily, the interlopers were confused by the whole situation, and everything turned out swimmingly. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Empty Nester Loons Adopt a Mallard Chick in Northern Wisconsin," 27 July 2019 In the six counties of Ulster that were retained by the United Kingdom, the situation is more volatile. — Susan Mckay, The New Yorker, "The Incredible Life and Tragic Death of Lyra McKee," 26 July 2019 The Phylos situation, while not the only reason the project shuttered, was just the last straw. — Hannah Wallace, WIRED, "High Drama: A Cannabis Biotech Company Roils Small Growers," 24 July 2019 And, to nobody’s great surprise, none of these situations has yet moved forward significantly, despite them all having a huge potential return on investment. — Ramona Sentinel, "Ask Mr. Marketing: Something on the side," 24 July 2019 So long as the Leemans don't get their hands on her, Amber has a chance, and her perseverance in the most intense of situations is the greatest weapon in her arsenal. — Alex Zaragoza, Teen Vogue, "Revisiting the Cult Classic “Drop Dead Gorgeous” On Its 20th Anniversary," 23 July 2019 There’s a different situation, new possibilities, new weather, a short drive away. — Ted Conover, Harper's magazine, "The Last Frontier," 22 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'situation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of situation

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

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More Definitions for situation

situation

noun
How to pronounce situation (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of situation

: all of the facts, conditions, and events that affect someone or something at a particular time and in a particular place
: an important or sudden problem
somewhat formal + old-fashioned : a place or location

See the full definition for situation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

situation

noun
sit·​u·​a·​tion | \ ˌsi-chə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce situation (audio) \

Kids Definition of situation

1 : the combination of surrounding conditions The situation at school is better than it was.
2 : a state of affairs that is urgent or difficult We have a situation to deal with.
3 : place entry 1 sense 5
4 : position or place of employment : job

situation

noun
sit·​u·​a·​tion | \ ˌsich-ə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce situation (audio) \

Medical Definition of situation

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

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