/pə'zɪʃn; pə`zɪʃən/
n
1 [C] place where sb/sth is 位置; 方位
*From his position on the cliff top, he had a good view of the harbour. 他位于悬崖顶上, 海湾看得清清楚楚.
* fix a ship's position, ie by observing the sun or stars 确定船只的方位（藉观察太阳或星体）
* We were sitting in a draughty position near the door. 我们坐在门边有穿堂风经过的地方.
* The troops stormed the enemy position, ie where the enemy had placed soldiers and guns. 部队向敌人的阵地发起了猛攻.
2 [U] state of being advantageously placed (eg in a competition or a war) 有利的状况（如竞争中或战争中的）
*Several candidates had been manoeuvring for position long before the leadership became vacant. 领导职位尚未空缺, 几个竞争者早就在为向上爬而钩心斗角了.
3 [C, U] way in which sb/sth is placed or arranged; attitude or posture 某人[某物]所处的或被安置的方式; 姿态; 姿势
*sit/lie in a comfortable position 舒舒服服地坐[躺]着
* in an upright, a horizontal, etc position 以垂直、水平等方式
* They had to stand for hours without changing position. 他们得一动不动地站几个小时.
4 [C] ~ (on sth) view or opinion held by sb 看法; 观点
*The candidates had to state their position on unilateral disarmament. 候选人须 表明他们对单方面裁军所持的立场.
* She has made her position very clear. 她已明确阐述了自己的观点.
5 [C esp sing 尤作单数] situation or circumstances, esp when they affect one's power to act 处境, 情势（尤指影响自己的行动能力者）
*Their failure to come to a decision put her in an impossible position. 他们未能做出决定, 这使她进退无门.
* He was in the unenviable position of having to choose between imprisonment or exile. 他已陷于进退维谷的地步, 不是坐牢就是流放, 必须在两者间做出抉择.
* What would you do in my position? 你处在我的地位, 你怎样做呢?
* I am not in a position (ie I am unable) to help you. 我没有能力帮助你.
* The economic position of the country is disastrous. 国家的经济形势非常糟糕.
6 (a) [C] place or rank in relation to others （相对于他人的）地位, 等级
*a high/low position in society 高的[低的]社会地位
* `What is his position in class?' `He's third from the top.' ｀他在班上得第几名?＇｀第三名.＇
(b) [U] high rank or status 高的等级或地位
*people of position 上层人士
* Wealth and position were not important to her. 财富和地位她都不放在心上.
7 [C] (fml 文) paid employment; job （有报酬的）职位; 工作
*a position in/with a big company 在一家大公司中的职务
* He applied for the position of assistant manager. 他申请副经理一职.
* She had worked for the firm for twenty years and was in a position of trust. 她为这家公司工作了二十年, 因而被委以重任.
8 [C] (sport 体) (in team games) function and/or part of the playing area assigned to a player （队际竞技活动中）某一队员的职责和[或]位置
*`What position does he play?' `Centre-forward.'｀他在比赛中在什么位置?＇｀中锋.＇
9 (idm 习语) in a false position => false. in/into position in/into the right or proper place 在[进入]适当的位置; 在位; 就位; 到位
*The orchestra were all in position, waiting for the conductor. 管弦乐队队员都已各就各位, 等待着指挥.
* The runners got into position on the starting line. 赛跑运动员已进入起跑线上的位置. out of po`sition not at the right place 不在适当的位置上
*The chairs are all out of position. 椅子全都放得不是地方.

v [Tn]
1 place (sth) in (a certain) position 将（某物）放在（某一）位置上
*position the aerial for the best reception 把天线安装在接收效果最好的位置上
* She positioned herself near the warm fire. 她待在温暖的炉子的旁边.
2 find or mark the position of (sth); locate 找出或标出（某物）的位置; 定位
*They were able to position the yacht by means of radar. 他们能够用雷达测定快艇的方位.

The balance of purchases and sales in a given financial instrument for a given maturity.