Longitude Definition: East-West Coordinate Explained

Meaning 1：east-west coordinate (longitude)

longitude 🔊

/ˈlɒndʒɪtjuːd/

A measurement of how far east or west a location is on Earth, expressed in degrees. It's used with latitude to pinpoint any place on a map.

east-west coordinate 🔊

➕

/ˈiːst wɛst koʊˈɔːrdɪnət/

An angular distance measured from the Prime Meridian, indicating how far east or west a point is on Earth's surface, used together with latitude for precise location.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'longitudo' (length) + '-tude' (abstract noun suffix).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'long' in longitude: long lines running from pole to pole on the globe.

📖 Example

To find the exact location of the restaurant, you need both its longitude and latitude coordinates. 🔊 To pinpoint the restaurant's exact spot, you require both its longitude and latitude coordinates.

🔗 Collocations

lines of longitude – The imaginary vertical lines running from the North Pole to the South Pole on a map or globe.

longitude and latitude – The two coordinates used to specify any location on Earth.

measure longitude – To determine the angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.

🔄 Synonyms

meridian (n.) – A line of constant longitude, especially a great circle passing through both poles.

grid coordinate (n.) – A set of numbers (including longitude) that define a position on a map or chart.

east-west position (n.) – The location measured along the equator from the prime meridian.

🚫 Antonyms

latitude (n.) – The angular distance north or south of the equator, perpendicular to longitude.

🌱 Derivatives

longitudinal (adj.) – Relating to longitude; running lengthwise.

longitudinally (adv.) – In a lengthwise direction; with respect to longitude.

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin 'longitudo' (length). After John Harrison's marine chronometer (1764), sailors could accurately determine longitude, revolutionizing global navigation.