apposition

noun

ap·​po·​si·​tion ˌa-pə-ˈzi-shən 

plural appositions

1

a

: a grammatical construction in which two or more usually adjacent words, phrases, or clauses (especially nouns or noun equivalents) that have the same referent stand in the same syntactical relation to the rest of a sentence (such as the poet and Burns in "a biography of the poet Burns")

b

: the relation between such words, phrases, or clauses

2

a

: an act or instance of apposing

specifically : the deposition of successive layers upon those already present (as in cell walls)

b

: the state of being apposed

appositional

ˌa-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of apposition in a Sentence

In “my friend the doctor,” the word “doctor” is in apposition to “my friend.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Two graphite rainbow-esque arches are at apposition with one another against a natural cream backdrop, which feels like a nod to this year’s Cracked Pepper as well as last year’s Blank Canvas. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2023

The findings indicate that trilobites had apposition eyes. —Lisa Raffensperger, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2013

This type is called an apposition compound eye, meaning each lens acts independently to create a mosaic image of what a creature sees. —Riley Black, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2020

But other elements were recognizable, like the flat vowels and the plaid shirts and the helpful practicality, like the lonesomeness of the undifferentiated plains, like the apposition of wilderness and chain stores. —Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English apposicioun, apposicion "addition, application, apposition in grammar," borrowed from Medieval Latin appositiōn-, appositiō "application, addition, syntactic juxtaposition," going back to Late Latin,"application, addition," going back to Latin, "comparison," from apposi-, variant stem of appōnere "to place near, put or fit on, contribute as an additional element" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at apposite

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

apposition

noun

ap·​po·​si·​tion ˌap-ə-ˈzish-ən 

: a grammatical construction in which a noun or noun equivalent is followed by another that explains it

in "my friend the doctor," the word "doctor" is in apposition with "friend"

Medical Definition

apposition

noun

ap·​po·​si·​tion ˌap-ə-ˈzish-ən 

1

: the placing of things in juxtaposition or proximity

specifically : deposition of successive layers upon those already present (as in cell walls) compare accretion, intussusception sense 2

2

: the state of being in juxtaposition or proximity (as in the drawing together of cut edges of tissue in healing)

appose

a-ˈpōz 

transitive verb

apposed; apposing

appositional

ˌap-ə-ˈzish-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

adjective