station
HighNeutral
Definition
Meaning
A place where vehicles such as trains or buses stop to allow passengers to get on or off.
A place equipped for a particular function or service, e.g., police station, radio station, or a position in society.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can refer to both physical locations and metaphorical positions; often used in compound nouns.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'station' commonly refers to a railway station, while in American English, 'train station' or 'subway station' is more specific. In the US, 'station' can also mean a gas station, whereas in the UK it's 'petrol station'.
Connotations
Generally similar, but in some contexts, 'station' in the US might imply a broadcasting point more frequently.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects, but collocations may vary.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
at [station]to [station]from [station][station] of [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “station in life”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a workstation or office location where employees are assigned.
Academic
Used for research stations or field stations in scientific studies.
Everyday
Commonly used for transport stations like bus or train stations.
Technical
In broadcasting, a station refers to a channel or frequency; in space, a space station.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The army stationed troops along the coast.
American English
- The company stationed her in their London office.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I wait at the bus station every morning.
- The train station is near my house.
- She arrived at the station just in time for her train.
- The police station is on the main street.
- After being stationed abroad for two years, he returned home.
- The radio station broadcasts news every hour.
- His station in life afforded him certain privileges that others lacked.
- The research station in Antarctica collects data on climate change.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'station' as a 'stay-shun' – a place where you stay temporarily during travel.
Conceptual Metaphor
A fixed point or position in a system, such as in 'station in life' representing social standing.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- In Russian, 'станция' is similar but may be overused for all types of stations; note that 'station' in English can also mean a broadcasting point, which is 'радиостанция' in Russian.
- Confusion with 'stationary' (неподвижный) which is a different word.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'in the station' instead of 'at the station' for location.
- Confusing 'station' with 'stationery' (writing materials).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common meaning of 'station' in everyday usage?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'station' can be a verb meaning to assign or place someone in a particular position, often in a military or official context.
'Station' typically refers to a fixed place with facilities, while 'stop' can be any point where a vehicle halts, often temporary.
In American English, 'station' is pronounced as /ˈsteɪʃən/, with the stress on the first syllable.
'Station' is a neutral word and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Collections
Part of a collection
Places in the City
A1 · 50 words · Common buildings and places found in towns and cities.
Transport
A2 · 48 words · Ways of getting from place to place.