Meanings
plural position papers
- governmentAn essay or report which expresses a position, conclusion, or recommendation concerning a contested issue or undecided question and which usually contains arguments or reasons in support of this position.
The first chapter is a position paper on explanation in the social sciences, a plea for "mechanisms" as opposed to law-like principles.
2001, Robert C. Solomon, “Review of Alchemies of the Mind: Rationality and the Emotions by Jon Elster”, in The Philosophical Review, volume 110, number 1, page 1042 more examples
He headed the China-watching Consulate General, and in 1963 drafted a position paper for President Kennedy that recommended rapprochement with China.
1972 February 28, “The Supporting Cast in Peking”, in Time, retrieved 30 Oct 2016They oversee groups that are churning out position papers on counterterrorism, cybersecurity, democracy and human rights, and global development.
2016 August 26, Mark Landler, “Clinton and Trump Campaigns Are Buzzing About the Race . . . for the Cabinet”, in New York Times, retrieved 30 Oct 2016
Synonyms & antonyms
nouna memorandum summarizing the items of an agreement (used especially in diplomatic communications)
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Translations
Finnish kannanotto, linjaus
- kannanottoessay or report which expresses a position on a contested issue
- linjausessay or report which expresses a position on a contested issue
- ohjelmaessay or report which expresses a position on a contested issue
German Grundsatzpapier, Positionspapier
- Grundsatzpapieressay or report which expresses a position on a contested issue
- Positionspapieressay or report which expresses a position on a contested issue
Indonesian kertas posisi
- kertas posisiessay or report which expresses a position on a contested issue
Irish páipéar seasaimh
- páipéar seasaimhessay or report which expresses a position on a contested issue
Italian studio
- studioessay or report which expresses a position on a contested issue
Malay kertas pendirian
- kertas pendirianessay or report which expresses a position on a contested issue
Polish publikacja prezentująca stanowisko
- publikacja prezentująca stanowiskoessay or report which expresses a position on a contested issue
Cite this entry
position paper. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/position%20paper
“position paper.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/position%20paper. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “position paper,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/position%20paper.
Source: position paper on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.