# posture

/ˈpɑstʃɝ/ (US) · /pˈɒstʃɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/posture
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. body position

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- The company took a defensive posture after the news of the data leak.
- The government's aggressive fiscal posture suggests that they are prioritizing rapid economic growth over long-term debt reduction.

### 3. to behave for effect

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

- The politicians were just posturing for the cameras instead of solving the problem.
- Despite their public posturing about environmental protection, the corporation continued to lobby against stricter carbon emission regulations behind closed doors.

## Examples

- Sitting at a desk all day can ruin your posture.
- The yoga instructor reminded the students to maintain a straight posture to allow for better breathing during the exercise.
- While her verbal responses remained polite and neutral, her rigid posture and crossed arms suggested a deep-seated defensiveness that contradicted her words.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.