How to pronounce position
Say it like puh-ZISH-un. Position has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce position. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- ZISH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Position pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ZISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of position
American and British speakers say position in essentially the same way: /pəˈzɪʃən/ in the US and /pəˈzɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: puh-ZISH-un.
What does position mean?
- the particular portion of space occupied by something“he put the lamp back in its place”
- a point occupied by troops for tactical reasons
- a way of regarding situations or topics etc.“consider what follows from the positivist view”
- cause to be in an appropriate place, state, or relation
- put into a certain place or abstract location“Put your things here”“Set the tray down”
Where does position come from?
From Middle English posicioun, from Old French posicion, from Latin positiō (“a putting, position”), from positus (“placed, situated”), past participle of pōnō (“to place”); see ponent.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with position
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of position.
Questions about saying position
How do you pronounce position?
Say puh-ZISH-un. The American pronunciation is /pəˈzɪʃən/. In British English it is /pəˈzɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in position?
Position has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZISH). Broken into parts: puh · ZISH · un.
Do Americans and Brits say position the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /pəˈzɪʃən/ and the British form is /pəˈzɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.