/ ˈsteɪʃn; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
FOR TRAINS / BUSES
1.
a place where trains stop so that passengers can get on and off; the buildings connected with this :
I get off at the next station
the main station
Penn Station
( BrE )
a railway / train station
( especially NAmE )
a train station
( BrE )
a tube / an underground station
( NAmE )
a subway station
2.
(usually in compounds) a place where buses stop; the buildings connected with this :
a bus / coach station
HELP NOTE : In Britain, the word station on its own usually refers to the train station:
Can you tell me the way to the station?
In the US it is usual to say which station you are talking about:
the train station
the Greyhound Bus station
FOR WORK / SERVICE
3.
(usually in compounds) a place or building where a service is organized and provided or a special type of work is done :
a police station
( BrE )
a petrol station
( NAmE )
a gas station
an agricultural research station
a pollution monitoring station
—compare space station
RADIO / TV COMPANY
4.
(often in compounds) a radio or television company and the programmes it broadcasts :
a local radio / TV station
He tuned to another station.
SOCIAL POSITION
5.
( old-fashioned or formal ) your social position :
She was definitely getting ideas above her station .
POSITION
6.
a place where sb has to wait and watch or be ready to do work if needed :
You are not to leave your station without permission.
—see also docking station
LARGE FARM
7.
(usually in compounds) a large sheep or cattle farm in Australia or New Zealand
FOR ARMY / NAVY
8.
a small base for the army or navy; the people living in it :
a naval station
—see also action stations
•
IDIOMS
see panic noun
■ verb
[ vn + adv. / prep. ]
ARMED FORCES
1.
[ often passive ] to send sb, especially from one of the armed forces, to work in a place for a period of time :
troops stationed abroad
GO TO POSITION
2.
station sb / yourself ... ( formal ) to go somewhere and stand or sit there, especially to wait for sth; to send sb somewhere to do this :
She stationed herself at the window to await his return.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as a noun): via Old French from Latin statio(n-) , from stare to stand. Early use referred generally to “position”, especially position in life, status , and specifically, in ecclesiastical use, to a holy place of pilgrimage (visited as one of a group) . The verb dates from the late 16th cent.