latitude

[ lat-i-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. Geography.
   1. the angular distance north or south from the equator of a point on the earth's surface, measured on the meridian of the point.
   2. a place or region as marked by this distance.
2. freedom from narrow restrictions; freedom of action, opinion, etc.:

   He allowed his children a fair amount of latitude.

   Synonyms: indulgence, liberty, extent

3. Astronomy.
   1. celestial latitude.
   2. galactic latitude.
4. Photography. the ability of an emulsion to record the brightness values of a subject in their true proportion to one another, expressed as the ratio of the amount of brightness in the darkest possible value to the amount of brightness in the brightest:

   a latitude of 1 to 128.

latitude

/ ˈlætɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. 1. an angular distance in degrees north or south of the equator (latitude 0°), equal to the angle subtended at the centre of the globe by the meridian between the equator and the point in question
   2. often plural a region considered with regard to its distance from the equator See longitude
2. scope for freedom of action, thought, etc; freedom from restriction

   his parents gave him a great deal of latitude

3. photog the range of exposure over which a photographic emulsion gives an acceptable negative
4. astronomy See celestial latitude

latitude

/ lăt′ĭ-to̅o̅d′ /

1. A measure of relative position north or south on the Earth's surface, measured in degrees from the equator, which has a latitude of 0°, with the poles having a latitude of 90° north and south. The distance of a degree of latitude is about 69 statute miles or 60 nautical miles (111 km). Latitude and longitude are the coordinates that together identify all positions on the Earth's surface.
2. Compare longitude
3. Celestial latitude.

latitude

1. The measurement, in degrees , of a place's distance north or south of the equator . ( Compare longitude .)

Derived Forms

• ˌlatiˈtudinally, adverb
• ˌlatiˈtudinal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of latitude¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin lātitūdō “breadth,” equivalent to lāt(us) “broad” + -i- -i- + -tūdō -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of latitude¹

C14: from Latin lātitūdō, from lātus broad

Synonym Study

See range.

Example Sentences

Experts said states have wide latitude over their spending, but Trump has tried to use Medicaid to pressure California over its policies before.

From Los Angeles Times

Geography and a flight's latitude have a strong influence on whether a contrail is warming.

From BBC

Katelyn, a 37-year-old West Hollywood voter who declined to give her last name, said she was moved by Proposition 33, which gives local jurisdictions wider latitude to regulate rents.

From Los Angeles Times

The auroras are most commonly seen over high polar latitudes, and are chiefly influenced by geomagnetic storms which originate from activity on the Sun.

From BBC

There is also a chance that northern latitudes could see the Northern Lights this weekend as two geomagnetic storms are predicted to hit Earth.

From BBC

Related Words

• elbow room