Illustration of latitude
- hemisphere marked with parallels of latitude
latitude
noun
lat·i·tude
ˈla-tə-ˌtüd 
-ˌtyüd
1
: angular distance from some specified circle or plane of reference: such as
a
: angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measured through 90 degrees
an island located at 40 degrees north latitude
b
: a region or locality as marked by its latitude
c
: angular distance of a celestial body from the ecliptic
2
: freedom of action or choice
students are allowed considerable latitude in choosing courses
3
4
archaic
: extent or distance from side to side : width
latitudinally
adverb
Examples of latitude in a Sentence
a map of the world showing lines of latitude and longitude
located at a latitude of 40 degrees north
Madrid and New York City are on nearly the same latitude.
islands located at different latitudes
We weren't given much latitude in deciding how to do the job.
The judge has wide latitude to reject evidence for the trial.
Recent Examples on the Web
California has been in the process of implementing various new regulations to give insurers more latitude to raise premiums in exchange for issuing more policies in high-risk areas.
—
CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The auroral oval, a band that hugs the northernmost latitudes where auroral activity has the highest concentration, covers most of Alaska and Iceland, southern Greenland, and the northernmost parts of Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 15 Apr. 2025
This is a telephoto lens image from home (latitude 51º N) on the morning of April 11, with the comet as a tiny and dim green dot in the Square of Pegasus.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for latitude
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CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The auroral oval, a band that hugs the northernmost latitudes where auroral activity has the highest concentration, covers most of Alaska and Iceland, southern Greenland, and the northernmost parts of Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 15 Apr. 2025
This is a telephoto lens image from home (latitude 51º N) on the morning of April 11, with the comet as a tiny and dim green dot in the Square of Pegasus.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for latitude
Cite this Entry
“Latitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latitude. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
latitude
noun
lat·i·tude
ˈlat-ə-ˌt(y)üd
1
a
: distance north or south from the equator measured in degrees
b
: a region or locality as marked by its latitude
2
: freedom from narrow restrictions
were allowed latitude in picking report topics
latitudinally
adverb
-ē
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