preposition

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A word such as "in," "on," or "at" that shows the relationship between a noun and another word in a sentence.

   In the phrase "on the table," the word "on" is a preposition.

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.

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