What does "posture" mean?

1. (body position) the way you hold your body when you sit or stand. 2. (attitude or stance) the way a person or group thinks or behaves toward a specific problem. 3. (to behave for effect) to behave in a way that is intended to impress or trick people.

posture

n. · v.

US //ˈpɑstʃɝ// UK //pˈɒstʃɐ// pos·ture

1 body position (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the way you hold your body when you sit or stand.

the position in which someone holds their body when standing or sitting.

Example

Sitting at a desk all day can be bad for your posture if you slouch.

Example

The yoga instructor emphasized that maintaining a neutral spine is essential for developing a healthy posture during long periods of meditation.
2 attitude or stance (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the way a person or group thinks or behaves toward a specific problem.

a particular approach or attitude adopted by an individual or organization toward a specific issue.

Example

The company took a defensive posture after the news of the data leak.

Example

The government's aggressive fiscal posture suggests that they are prioritizing rapid economic growth over long-term debt reduction.

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3 to behave for effect (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to behave in a way that is intended to impress or trick people.

to behave in a way that is intended to impress or mislead others; often used when someone is pretending to be more powerful than they are.

Example

The politicians were just posturing for the cameras instead of solving the problem.

Example

Despite their public posturing about environmental protection, the corporation continued to lobby against stricter carbon emission regulations behind closed doors.
- pose
- show off
- affect

Origin

Borrowed from Middle French posture, from Italian postura, from Latin positūra (“position, situation”). Doublet of positura.