station

noun sta·tion \ ˈstā-shən \

Updated on: 3 Dec 2017

Definition of station

1 a : the place or position in which something or someone stands or is assigned to stand or remain

b : any of the places in a manufacturing operation at which one part of the work is done

c : equipment used usually by one person for performing a particular job

2 : the act or manner of standing : posture

3 : a stopping place: such as

a (1) : a regular stopping place in a transportation route

a bus station

(2) : the building connected with such a stopping place : depot 3

b : one of the stations of the cross

4 a : a post or sphere of duty or occupation

b : a stock farm or ranch especially of Australia or New Zealand

5 : standing, rank

a woman of high station

6 : a place for specialized observation and study of scientific phenomena

a seismological station

a marine biological station

7 : a place established to provide a public service: such as

a (1) : fire station

(2) : police station

b : a branch post office

8 : gas station

9 a : a complete assemblage of radio or television equipment for transmitting or receiving

b : the place in which such a station is located

See station defined for English-language learners

See station defined for kids

Examples of station in a Sentence

They drove him to the bus station.
The waiters were at their stations in the dining room.
The sailors were ordered to man their battle stations.
He had married above his station.
They were aware of her station in life.

Recent Examples of station from the Web

Exit polls are expected when voting stations close at 10 p.m. and will be closely followed.

— john follain, Bloomberg.com, "Berlusconi Fights for Control of Sicily Before General Vote," 5 Nov. 2017
The station’s clerk had been working that morning when a man with a gun walked in, demanded money and forced her into the back office, police said.

— jane wester, charlotteobserver, "A cop walked into a gas station – just in time to interrupt an armed robbery.," 5 Nov. 2017
The series, sponsored by Viking Cruises, is scheduled to begin airing nationally on PBS stations in February.

— nancy schoeffler, courant.com, "Farmington Designer's New CPTV Series Airing Monday Features Two Grand English Estates," 5 Nov. 2017
Since 1969, the channel has been the flagship station for Reds broadcasts.

— zach buchanan, Cincinnati.com, "The Reds will stay on WLW through 2022," 3 Nov. 2017
The sensors are part of a $6 million network, funded jointly by Mexico and Japan, that includes nearly 70 new seismometers and GPS stations on land, as well as on the sea floor.

— lizzie wade, Science | AAAS, "Underwater network hunts for mysterious slow quakes," 1 Nov. 2017
In an interview with a local radio station, 1010 WINS, Olivia discussed her emotional experience as Margaret's nurse, explaining that the experience challenged her in many ways.

— katelyn lunders, Country Living, "Watch This 'Angel' Nurse Sing a Dying Patient's Favorite Song and Try Not to Cry," 27 Oct. 2017
Each station had guides to help visitors get the best user experiences and walk them through the tech.

— tonya riley, Slate Magazine, "Can Virtual Reality Bring Back the Arcade?," 27 Oct. 2017
Annie says Leon describes the house as Grand Central Station for ghosts, with many doorways and portals for other beings, and that Leon is the conductor of the station.

— lauren smith, Good Housekeeping, "Advertisement - Continue Reading Below," 26 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'station.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of station

Middle English stacioun, from Anglo-French estation, statiun, from Latin station-, statio, from stare to stand — more at stand

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

station Synonyms

Synonyms

position, post, quarter

Related Words

assignment, brief, business, charge, detail, job, operation

station

verb

Definition of station

stationed; stationing play \ˈstā-sh(ə-)niŋ\

transitive verb

: to assign to or set in a station or position : post

station a guard at the door

See station defined for English-language learners

Examples of station in a Sentence

He stationed the guards around the camp.
They stationed troops at the border.
He stationed himself by the door to greet the guests.

Recent Examples of station from the Web

The police said on Tuesday that sand trucks and other blocker vehicles meant to stop potential attacks had been stationed near the parade route, along with officers carrying long guns.

— michael wilson, New York Times, "Terror Attack Leaves New Yorkers Navigating Between Nonchalance and Fear," 2 Nov. 2017
The DoD also stationed personnel outside of hospitals around the island with satellite phones to relay information about hospitals’ power, water and patient count, in case there was need to evacuate or transfer patients, said a U.S. official.

— daniela hernandez, WSJ, "Why a U.S. Navy Hospital Ship in Puerto Rico Has Hardly Been Used," 19 Oct. 2017
The statue of Peyton Manning is 9 feet of bronze stationed in the north plaza of Lucas Oil Stadium, right arm cocked, eyes forward.

— gregg doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Gregg Doyel: Peyton Manning now a statue, and our forever quarterback," 7 Oct. 2017
The details, diplomats say, betray Russia’s true intent: Mr Putin foresees peacekeeping forces stationed along the front line inside Ukraine, and not along the border with Russia—essentially formalising the internal division of the country.

— The Economist, "Back to the tableWhy Russia wants to talk about Ukraine," 5 Oct. 2017
Valet parking is not offered this year Bicycling: Bike racks are stationed in Central Park by the Fourth Division Police Station.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "The St. James Court Art Show is this weekend. Here are the details, helpful hints & more," 4 Oct. 2017
There was some question on Saturday as to if Markle and Harry might already be engaged, considering one of Harry’s security guards was stationed next to Markle in the stairwell.

— josh duboff, vanityfair.com, "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Hold Hands, Sit Together for First Real Joint Official Appearance," 25 Sep. 2017
Riding a bike while stationed with the Army in Europe, Cooper was sideswiped by a bus and then struck head-on by a semi-truck.

— russell berman, The Atlantic, "Honoring the Best in a Workforce 'Under Siege'," 22 Sep. 2017
Sally Holmen said her parents started playing golf in 1958 when her father was stationed with the Navy in Hawaii and recalled that her parents often played 18 to 27 holes at a time.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Rancho Bernardo resident to celebrate 100th birthday on Saturday," 22 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of station

1685

station Synonyms

Synonyms

detail, ²post

Related Words

set; appoint; place, position

STATION Defined for English Language Learners

station

noun

Definition of station for English Language Learners

: a place where buses, trains, etc., regularly stop so that passengers can get on and off
: a place where someone does a job or waits for a task
: a person's social or official position in relation to others

station

verb

Definition of station for English Language Learners

: to assign (someone) to a station or position
: to put (yourself) in a place and stay there for a period of time

STATION Defined for Kids

station

noun sta·tion \ ˈstā-shən \

Definition of station for Students

1 : a regular stopping place (as on a bus, train, or subway line) : depot

2 : a place for specialized observation or for a public service

weather station

police station

3 : a collection of or the place that contains radio or television equipment for transmitting or receiving

4 : ¹position 5, rank

a person of high station

5 : the place or position where a person or thing stands or is assigned to stand or remain

Don't leave your station.

6 : a post or area of duty

military station

station

verb

Definition of station for Students

stationed; stationing

: to assign to or set in a post or position : post

… these two crafty women stationed themselves at the front gate … and started charging everyone for coming in.
—Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach