situation /sĭch″oo͞-ā′shən/

noun

• The combination of circumstances at a given moment; a state of affairs. synonym: state.
• Similar: state A critical, problematic, or striking set of circumstances.
• “We don’t want this minor gaffe to turn into a situation.”
• The way in which something is positioned vis-à-vis its surroundings.
• “the town’s situation on the river.”

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition