Definition
Red and white airport signs marking the location on a taxiway where an aircraft must stop when instructed to hold short of a runway, runway approach area, or other designated area. The sign has a red background with white inscription showing the runway designation (for example, '15-33') and is positioned at the holding position marking painted on the pavement.
Plain English
A red sign on the side of a taxiway that tells you where to stop so you don't roll onto a runway without permission. The numbers on the sign tell you which runway you'd be entering if you kept going.
Context Anchor
Seen while taxiing on an airport, especially near runway entrances, runway crossings, and other protected areas.
Derivation
Hold short' means to stop before a specific point and not cross it. 'Position' refers to the exact spot where you must hold. Together the sign tells you both the action (hold) and the place (this position, short of the runway).
Why Pilots Care
They mark the exact point where pilots must stop to avoid runway incursions and maintain safe separation from other traffic.
Intuition Check
Do not read hold-short as a general suggestion to be careful. It marks a required stopping point: stay before the sign and marking until you are cleared or authorized to continue.
Example Sentence 1
Tower instructed us to taxi to Runway 27 via Alpha and hold short, so we stopped at the hold-short position sign and waited for clearance.
Example Sentence 2
Before crossing the runway during night operations the crew confirmed they were behind the hold-short position signs.