azimuth

[ az-uh-muhth ]

noun

1. Astronomy, Navigation. the arc of the horizon measured clockwise from the south point, in astronomy, or from the north point, in navigation, to the point where a vertical circle through a given heavenly body intersects the horizon.
2. Surveying, Gunnery. the angle of horizontal deviation, measured clockwise, of a bearing from a standard direction, as from north or south.

azimuth

/ ˈæzɪməθ; ˌæzɪˈmʌθəl /

noun

1. astronomy nautical the angular distance usually measured clockwise from the north point of the horizon to the intersection with the horizon of the vertical circle passing through a celestial body Compare altitude
2. surveying the horizontal angle of a bearing clockwise from a standard direction, such as north

azimuth

/ ăz′ə-məth /

1. The position of a celestial object along an observer's horizon. Azimuth is a horizontal angle measured clockwise in degrees from a reference direction, usually the north or south point of the horizon, to the point on the horizon intersected by the object's line of altitude (a line from the observer's zenith through the object to the horizon). If north is the reference point (0°), then east has an azimuth of 90°, south is 180°, and so forth through 360°.
2. See more at altazimuth coordinate system

Derived Forms

• azimuthal, adjective
• ˌaziˈmuthally, adverb

Other Words From

• az·i·muth·al [az-, uh, -, muhth, -, uh, l], adjective
• azi·muthal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of azimuth¹

1350–1400; Middle English azimut < Middle French ≪ Arabic as sumūt the ways (i.e., directions)

Word History and Origins

Origin of azimuth¹

C14: from Old French azimut, from Arabic as-sumūt, plural of as-samt the path, from Latin semita path

Example Sentences

Variables like weather, azimuth, elevation, crude launchers, and rocket viability quickly add up.

From The Daily Beast

One Kelvin standard compass, with azimuth mirror on compass platform.

From Project Gutenberg

Webb at once proceeded to take full magnetic declination, time and azimuth observations, Laseron recording for him.

From Project Gutenberg

The angle which this line makes with a line pointing due south is called the sun's azimuth.

From Project Gutenberg

The Azimuth of a star is the angle between the meridian and the vertical circle passing through the star.

From Project Gutenberg

The direction EP gives the azimuth of the wave-path, or its direction along the surface of the earth.

From Project Gutenberg