Méridien (en. Meridian)

/me.ʁi.djɛ̃/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

A meridian is an imaginary line on the surface of the Earth that connects the north and south poles.

The Greenwich meridian is the reference point for universal time.

Le méridien de Greenwich est le point de référence pour le temps universel.

Each meridian corresponds to a value of longitude.

We measured the longitude from the Paris meridian.

Nous avons mesuré la longitude à partir du méridien de Paris.

In astronomy, a meridian is a great circle that passes through the celestial poles.

The observatory is located exactly on the meridian of the star.

L'observatoire est placé exactement sur le méridien de l'étoile.

From Latin 'meridianus', meaning 'of noon', derived from 'meridies', meaning 'midday'.

solar meridian

The time when the sun is at its highest point in the sky.

méridien solaire

reference meridian

The meridian used as a starting point for geographical measurements.

méridien de référence

longitude

Measurement of the distance in degrees of a point relative to the equator.

longitude

latitude

Measurement of the distance in degrees of a point relative to the prime meridian.

latitude

cartography

The science and art of creating maps.

cartographie

Expression used to designate a key moment of the day.

This is the meridian of our project, don't miss it!

C'est le méridien de notre projet, ne le rate pas !

Used to refer to a change of direction or plan.

We took a different meridian for this matter.

On a pris un méridien différent pour cette affaire.