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DictionarysituationCircumstances
noun

situation

sich-oo-AY-shuhn/ˌsɪtʃuˈeɪʃn/

A position in relation to its surroundings.

The pedestrians' situation near the intersection leaves them surrounded by traffic.

An ordinary street intersection during heavy rain and a traffic delay, people responding to the shared circumstances, no readable signs.
Etymology
situatLatinto place, locate
+ionLatinaction or state

From “to place,” situation first named a place or position. That physical position broadened into a position relative to circumstances—the state of affairs at a particular time.

In context

Ellis Brigham50:33
contrast that to the winter time because again, we're back to showers that form over the sea in the wintertime. So we have a situation where it's sea based convection.
Key Skills For Mountain Weather Forecasting

More examples

  • The house has a sheltered situation at the foot of the hill.
  • The castle's situation on a cliff made it difficult to attack.
  • We value the hotel's central situation near shops and restaurants.

Forms

situation · situations

situate verb — To place in a particular location.

Similar words

location
Names where something is, without necessarily describing its surroundings.
position
Emphasizes an exact spot relative to other things.
setting
Emphasizes the surrounding area rather than the place itself.