situation

Etymology

From Middle English situacioun, situacion, from Middle French situation, from Medieval Latin situatio (“position, situation”), from situare (“to locate, place”), from Latin situs (“a site”). Equivalent to situate + -ion.

noun

1. The combination of circumstances at a given moment; a state of affairs.
   The United States is in an awkward situation with debt default looming.
2. The way in which something is positioned vis-à-vis its surroundings.
   The Botanical Gardens are in a delightful situation on the river bank.
3. The place in which something is situated; a location.
   [Hibíscus] speciòsus is the most splendid, and deserves a situation in every garden. 1833, Thomas Hibbert, Robert Buist, The American Flower Garden Directory, page 142
4. Position or status with regard to conditions and circumstances.
5. (UK) A position of employment; a post.
   ‘Let me hear another sound from you,’ said Scrooge, ‘and you’ll keep your Christmas by losing your situation! 1843, Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
   You take a morning paper from the top of the stack And read the situations from the front to the back The only job that's open need a man with a knack So put it right back in the rack Jack. 1946, Vaughn Horton, Denver Darling, Milt Gabler, Choo Choo Ch'Boogie
6. A difficult or unpleasant set of circumstances; a problem.
   Boss, we've got a situation here…
7. (US, film industry) An individual movie theater.
   This survey includes all key situations (including Paramount Gulf Theaters) as well as suburban runs and small-town situations. 1950, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Ways and Means, Revenue Revision of 1950: Hearings Before the Committee, page 1805
   […] Craterian theatre, with a full-scale advance campaign and preliminary screenings held for opinion-makers. Results and reactions will be closely studied and, if popular, the idea will be extended to other situations. 1960, Motion Picture Herald, volumes 218-219, page 14
8. (slang) An outfit, garment, or look.
   She is working some sort of amazing burgundy chiffon situation with gold piping.