Origin and history of station

late 13c., stacioun, "a place one normally occupies," from Old French stacion, estacion "site, location; station of the Cross; stop, standstill," from Latin stationem (nominative statio) "a standing, standing firm; a post, job, position; military post; a watch, guard, sentinel; anchorage, port" (related to stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm").

The meaning "fixed uniform distance in surveying" is from 1570s. The meaning "each of a number of holy places visited in succession by pilgrims" is from late 14c. in English; a similar notion is in Stations of the Cross (1550s). The meaning "regular stopping place" is recorded by 1797, in reference to coach routes; it was applied to stopping places on railroads by 1830.

The meaning "military post" in English is from c. 1600. The meaning "place where people are placed or sent for some special purpose, locality to which a functionary is appointed" (as in polling station) is by 1817, in police station "place where a police force is assembled when not on duty;" station house "police station" is attested from 1836.

The meaning "place for transmitting radio or television signals" is from 1912, in radio station; station break, a pause in broadcasting to give the local station a chance to identify itself, is attested from 1942.

The figurative or extended sense of "status, rank" (one's "place" in the scale of society) is from c. 1600.

"assign a post or position to," 1748, from station (n.). Related: Stationed; stationing.