Latitude: meaning, definitions and examples
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latitude
[ ˈlatɪtjuːd ]
on a map
The angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator, usually expressed in degrees and minutes.
Synonyms
degree of latitude, parallel
Examples of usage
- The city is located at a latitude of 40 degrees north.
- Countries near the equator have lower latitudes.
astronomy
The angular distance of a celestial object north or south of the celestial equator.
Synonyms
celestial latitude, declination
Examples of usage
- The star has a high latitude in the night sky.
- The latitude of the moon changes throughout the year.
freedom of action
Freedom of action or choice.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The new policy gives employees more latitude in decision-making.
- She was given considerable latitude in how she ran the project.
Translations
Translations of the word "latitude" in other languages:
🇵🇹 latitude
🇮🇳 अक्षांश
🇩🇪 Breitengrad
🇮🇩 lintang
🇺🇦 широта
🇵🇱 szerokość geograficzna
🇯🇵 緯度 (ido)
🇫🇷 latitude
🇪🇸 latitud
🇹🇷 enlem
🇰🇷 위도 (wido)
🇸🇦 خط العرض
🇨🇿 zeměpisná šířka
🇸🇰 zemepisná šírka
🇨🇳 纬度 (wěidù)
🇸🇮 zemljepisna širina
🇮🇸 breiddargráða
🇰🇿 ендік
🇬🇪 გრძედი (grdzedi)
🇦🇿 enlik
🇲🇽 latitud
Word origin
The word 'latitude' originated from Latin 'latitudo', which means width or extent. It has been used in English since the 14th century to refer to the angular distance north or south of the equator. The concept of latitude is crucial for navigation, astronomy, and geography. Understanding latitude helps in determining the position of a place on the Earth's surface. Over time, the word has also been extended to represent freedom of action or choice, reflecting its broader meaning beyond geography.