'preposition' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'praepositionem,' where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'positio' meant 'placement.'

'praepositionem' transformed into the Old French word 'preposicion,' and eventually became the modern English word 'preposition' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'placement before,' referring to its position in a sentence, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.