longitude

[ˈlɒn.dʒɪ.tjuːd]

longitude Definition

the distance of a place east or west of an imaginary line between the North Pole and the South Pole, measured in degrees.

Using longitude: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "longitude" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The longitude of New York is about 74 degrees west.

• Example

  The ship's captain used a sextant to determine their longitude.

• Example

  The International Date Line is located at 180 degrees longitude.

longitude Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for longitude

• meridian
• longitudinal line

Phrases with longitude

• prime meridian

  the meridian of 0 degrees longitude, from which all other longitudes are measured

  Example

  Greenwich, England is the location of the prime meridian.

• longitude and latitude

  a system of coordinates used to locate a point on the earth's surface, consisting of lines of longitude and latitude

  Example

  The GPS uses longitude and latitude to determine your location.

• longitude problem

  the problem of determining a ship's longitude at sea, which was a major challenge for navigators before the invention of accurate timekeeping devices

  Example

  The longitude problem was eventually solved with the invention of the chronometer.

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Summary: longitude in Brief

Longitude [ˈlɒn.dʒɪ.tjuːd] is a noun that refers to the distance of a place east or west of an imaginary line between the North Pole and the South Pole, measured in degrees. It is used in conjunction with latitude to locate a point on the earth's surface. Phrases like 'prime meridian' and 'longitude and latitude' are commonly used in geography and navigation.