English Reference
noun

placement

n.
US /ˈpɫeɪsmənt/ UK /plˈeɪsmənt/ place·ment UK spelling placement's, placement's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of putting something in a specific place or position.

    the act of locating or positioning an object in a particular space.

    Simple

    The careful placement of the furniture made the small room feel much larger.

    In context

    The architect argued that the strategic placement of the windows was essential for maximizing natural light during the winter months.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    a temporary job, often for students, to learn about a specific type of work.

    a temporary period of work experience, typically unpaid or for credit, within a professional environment.

    Simple

    She is doing a three-week placement at a local law firm to see if she likes the work.

    In context

    The university degree requires a mandatory six-month industrial placement to ensure students graduate with practical professional skills.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of finding a suitable job, school, or home for someone.

    the process of matching an individual with a suitable environment, such as a job, foster home, or educational institution.

    Simple

    The agency specializes in the placement of nurses in private hospitals.

    In context

    Social workers are responsible for the long-term placement of children within stable and supportive foster families.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency Technical

    the position of a planet or the sun in the sky when a person is born.

    the specific zodiacal position of a celestial body at the time of an individual's birth.

    Simple

    She believes that the placement of Mars in her chart explains her high energy.

    In context

    The astrologer analyzed the specific planetary placements to provide a detailed interpretation of the subject's personality traits.

In some deposits, researchers cannot determine the exact order in which bodies were added or the precise intentions behind their placement.

ScienceDaily· 19 Aug 2026

In their paper , published in the April 2026 print issue of Management Science, the researchers show that visitors respond to both the physical location of works and their placement on digital guides.

Ars Technica· 25 Jul 2026

From place + -ment.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated