Meaning & Definition of word "Longitude"
Longitude
/ˈlɒŋɡɪtjuːd/
noun:
- 1. The angular distance of a place east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees.
- Example: The longitude of New York City is approximately 74 degrees west.
- 2. A geographical coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface.
- Example: To accurately locate the ship, we need to record its latitude and longitude.
- 3. The distance in degrees along the Earth's surface from the Prime Meridian.
- Example: He traveled along a line of longitude to reach the eastern coast.
- 4. A measure used in navigation and cartography for determining positions on Earth.
- Example: Sailors rely on longitude and latitude to chart their course across the ocean.
Etymology
●From Latin 'longitudo', from 'longus' meaning 'long'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
longitude lines:
Imaginary lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole, indicating east-west locations.
longitude and latitude:
A system of geographical coordinates for locating points on the Earth's surface.
Related Words
latitude:
The geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface.
meridian:
A circle of constant longitude passing through a given place on the earth's surface.