The allylic position in a molecule is defined as the next-adjacent carbon atom to a double bond, namely the sp3-hybridized carbon atom that is one bond away from the sp2-hybridized carbons of the alkene. This position is chemically significant because it possesses a higher reactivity due to the resonance stabilization that can occur when the π electrons in the double bond delocalize, which in turn creates a more stabilized allylic cation or radical. This stabilization often leads to increased reaction rates and unique reaction pathways in organic synthesis, making allylic positions favorable sites for chemical reactions.