LATITUDE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does latitude mean? 

• LATITUDE (noun)
  The noun LATITUDE has 4 senses:

1. the angular distance between an imaginary line around a heavenly body parallel to its equator and the equator itself

2. freedom from normal restraints in conduct

3. an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator

4. scope for freedom of e.g. action or thought; freedom from restriction

  Familiarity information: LATITUDE used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LATITUDE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The angular distance between an imaginary line around a heavenly body parallel to its equator and the equator itself

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Hypernyms ("latitude" is a kind of...):

angular distance (the angular separation between two objects as perceived by an observer)

Derivation:

latitudinal (of or relating to latitudes north or south)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Freedom from normal restraints in conduct

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Context example:

allowed his children considerable latitude in how they spent their money

Hypernyms ("latitude" is a kind of...):

liberty (freedom of choice)

Derivation:

latitudinarian (unwilling to accept authority or dogma (especially in religion))

Sense 3

Meaning:

An imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

latitude; line of latitude; parallel; parallel of latitude

Hypernyms ("latitude" is a kind of...):

line (a spatial location defined by a real or imaginary unidimensional extent)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "latitude"):

polar circle (a line of latitude at the north or south poles)

horse latitude (either of two belts or regions near 30 degrees north or 30 degrees south; characterized by calms and light-baffling winds)

tropic (either of two parallels of latitude about 23.5 degrees to the north and south of the equator representing the points farthest north and south at which the sun can shine directly overhead and constituting the boundaries of the Torrid Zone or tropics)

Derivation:

latitudinal (of or relating to latitudes north or south)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Scope for freedom of e.g. action or thought; freedom from restriction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("latitude" is a kind of...):

ambit; compass; orbit; range; reach; scope (an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:)

Derivation:

latitudinarian (unwilling to accept authority or dogma (especially in religion))

 Context examples 

As expected, all these data suggest a trove of water ice throughout the Martian poles and mid-latitudes.

(NASA's Treasure Map for Water Ice on Mars, NASA)

Wolf cautions, however, that greater forest edge sensitivity at lower latitudes doesn't mean there isn't also edge sensitivity in temperate zones.

(Forest fragmentation hits wildlife hardest in the tropics, National Science Foundation)

He did not want them to die of love; but with sense and temper which ought to have made him judge and feel better, he allowed himself great latitude on such points.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

It's everywhere, and nearer to the surface with higher latitudes.

(Where is the Ice on Ceres?, NASA)

A study estimated that the dark spots appear every four to six years at different latitudes and disappear after about two years.

(Hubble Reveals Dynamic Atmospheres of Uranus, Neptune, NASA)

Neptune's dark vortices have exhibited surprising diversity over the years, in terms of size, shape, and stability (they meander in latitude, and sometimes speed up or slow down).

(Hubble Imagery Confirms New Dark Spot on Neptune, NASA)

As the climate warms, vegetation cover is increasing in forests of the northern latitudes.

(Climate change could double greenhouse gas emissions from freshwater ecosystems, University of Cambridge)

The Sisyphi Montes region extends from about 55 degrees to 75 degrees south latitude.

(Clues about Volcanoes Under Ice on Ancient Mars, NASA)

In a few cases, to be sure, the name of a place would be added, as “Offe Caraccas,” or a mere entry of latitude and longitude, as “62o 17' 20”, 19o 2' 40”.”

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Negative physical or emotional health outcomes resulting from high job demands with low job decision latitude.

(Job Strain, NCI Thesaurus)