situation

noun

sit·​u·​a·​tion ˌsi-chə-ˈwā-shən 

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

Synonyms of situation

• deal
• status
• story
• scene
• posture
• picture

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

According to a source briefed on the situation, the illness was contained to the Victoire. —Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 13 May 2026

By the time officers arrived, the situation had escalated into what officials described as an active shooter incident, with the suspect walking down the middle of Memorial Drive and firing in an erratic manner as traffic came to a halt. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026

So after finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds in the 115-110 loss, James addressed the situation again. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

Officials at the school notified parents of the situation the day before Nichols was taken into custody. —Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing situation

• situation comedy
• situation ethics
• took charge of the situation

Rhymes for situation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

situation

noun

sit·​u·​a·​tion ˌsich-ə-ˈwā-shən 

1

a

: the way in which something is placed in relation to its surroundings

b

: site sense 1

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 

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