prepositioning
|pre-pos-i-tion-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˌpriːpəˈzɪʃənɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˌpriːpəˈzɪʃ(ə)nɪŋ/
(preposition)
linking word
Etymology
'prepositioning' originates from English, specifically the word 'preposition' combined with the suffix '-ing' to form a noun/gerund or present participle.
'preposition' comes from Latin 'praeponere' (prae- 'before' + ponere 'to place'), passed into Old French and Middle English as 'prepositioun'/'preposition', and later formed into modern English 'preposition' to which the productive suffix '-ing' was added to create 'prepositioning'.
Initially related to the Latin sense 'to place before', the meaning has evolved into both a grammatical sense ('use or placement of prepositions') and a logistical sense ('placing or staging in advance'), while retaining the basic idea of 'placing before'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or process of positioning supplies, equipment, or forces in advance of need (especially in military or logistical contexts).
The prepositioning of relief supplies allowed aid to reach the region within hours.
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Noun 2
the placement or use of a preposition before its complement in grammar (i.e., the opposite of postpositioning).
Prepositioning is common in English, where the preposition typically precedes its object.
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Verb 1
present participle form of 'preposition'; meaning 'placing or positioning something before or in advance'.
They are prepositioning equipment near the docks to speed up deployment.
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Last updated: 2025/10/05 03:55