Which term refers to the placement of something next to or side by side?

The term that accurately describes the placement of something next to or side by side is apposition. Apposition typically refers to a grammatical construction where two elements, often nouns, are placed alongside each other, with one element serving to define or modify the other. For example, in the phrase "my brother, the doctor," "the doctor" is in apposition to "my brother," providing additional information about him.

While adjacency refers to the state of being adjacent or next to something, it is a broader term that can apply in various contexts beyond just grammar. Proximity indicates a nearness in space, time, or relationship but does not inherently imply the side-by-side placement emphasized in the correct answer. Alignment specifically pertains to the arrangement of items either in a straight line or in cooperation with one another, which is distinct from the side-by-side configuration indicated by apposition.