/ ˌprepəˈzɪʃn; NAmE / noun
( grammar ) a word or group of words, such as in, from, to, out of and on behalf of , used before a noun or pronoun to show place, position, time or method
► prep·os·ition·al / -ʃənl; NAmE / adjective :
a prepositional phrase (= a preposition and the noun following it, for example at night or after breakfast )
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin praepositio(n-) , from the verb praeponere , from prae before + ponere to place.