preposition
n. countablen. a type of word—like 'in', 'on', or 'with'—that connects a noun to the rest of the sentence. It usually shows where something is, when it happens, or how things relate.
n. a function word placed before a noun or pronoun to indicate its relationship to other constituents in the sentence. It typically expresses spatial, temporal, or logical connections.
In the phrase 'under the bed', the word 'under' is a preposition.
When learning English grammar, students often struggle to choose the correct preposition for time and place.
Although traditional prescriptive grammar dictates that a sentence should never end with a preposition, modern linguists recognise this structure as a natural feature of English syntax.
From Middle English preposicioun, from Old French preposicion, from Latin praepositio, praepositionem, from praepono (“to place before”), equivalent to pre- + position. Compare French préposition. So called because it is placed before the word with which it is phrased, as in a bridge of iron, he comes from town, it is good for food, he escaped by running.
From pre- + position.
Typically followed by a noun phrase, pronoun, or gerund, which functions as its object.