Illustration of sextant
sextant
noun
sex·tant
ˈsek-stənt 
: an instrument for measuring angular distances used especially in navigation to observe altitudes of celestial bodies (as in ascertaining latitude and longitude)
Examples of sextant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even the Portuguese flag features an old nautical instrument at its centre, which led to the stage being designed as a stylized sextant.
—
Christine Mortag, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
Why not just rely on GPS like every yachtsman who slept through piloting class and can't remember how to work a sextant?
—New Atlas, 2 Dec. 2025
Artifacts found on the island include a woman’s mirror compact similar to one Earhart was known to carry, a cosmetic jar, a jackknife, and a wooden box that appeared to once contain a sextant, a navigation instrument.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
The navigator would also use a periscopic sextant to peer through the roof of the aircraft and calculate position based on the sun and stars — exactly like an ancient mariner.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
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Christine Mortag, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
Why not just rely on GPS like every yachtsman who slept through piloting class and can't remember how to work a sextant?
—New Atlas, 2 Dec. 2025
Artifacts found on the island include a woman’s mirror compact similar to one Earhart was known to carry, a cosmetic jar, a jackknife, and a wooden box that appeared to once contain a sextant, a navigation instrument.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
The navigator would also use a periscopic sextant to peer through the roof of the aircraft and calculate position based on the sun and stars — exactly like an ancient mariner.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sextant
Cite this Entry
“Sextant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sextant. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sextant
noun
sex·tant
ˈsek-stənt
: a navigational instrument for measuring the angle between the horizon and the sun or a star in order to find out the latitude (as of a ship)
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