latitude
latitude Lexical Profile
latitude Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The angular distance of a place north or south of the Earth's equator, usually expressed in degrees and minutes.
"The ship's captain carefully calculated their latitude using a sextant and the position of the sun."
Scope for freedom of action, thought, or choice; freedom from narrow restrictions.
"Senior researchers are given considerable latitude in choosing which scientific projects to pursue."
Regions or climate zones of the Earth with reference to their distance north or south from the equator (usually used in the plural).
"Many migratory birds leave the northern latitudes before the harsh winter sets in."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often confused with 'longitude', which measures angular distance east or west of the prime meridian; 'latitude' measures distance north or south of the equator.
• Rhymes for latitude
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French latitude or directly from Latin latitudo ('breadth, width, extent'), derived from latus ('wide, broad').