1
: of, relating to, or fixed by position
positional astronomy
2
: involving little movement
positional warfare
3
: dependent on position or environment or context
the front-articulated \k\ in \kē\ key and the back-articulated \k\ in \kül\ cool are positional variants
positionally adverb

Examples of positional in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As the positional map below shows, Fernandez-Pardo is comfortable anywhere across the front three. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Learning how to challenge what's presented in board papers and ask confronting questions is good practice in exercising influence without relying on positional authority. Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 But since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, frontline combat has seen the return of positional warfare centered on fortified networks of trenches. Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026 The rookie linebacker has positional flexibility but also has received elevated reps since the start of training camp. Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for positional

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of positional was circa 1560

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Cite this Entry

“Positional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/positional. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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