International Date Line

[ in-ter-nash-uh-nl deyt lahyn ]

noun

1. a theoretical line following, with occasional deviations, the antimeridian, the regions to the east of which are counted as being one day earlier in their calendar dates than the regions to the west.

International Date Line

noun

1. the line approximately following the 180° meridian from Greenwich on the east side of which the date is one day earlier than on the west Also calleddate line

International Date Line

/ ĭn′tər-năsh′ə-nəl /

1. An imaginary line on the Earth's surface that is internationally agreed upon as the place where each new calendar day begins. The line extends from the North to the South Pole through the Pacific Ocean, roughly along the 180th meridian. The calendar day to the east of the line is one day earlier than it is to the west of the line. The International Date Line was established at the International Meridian Conference in 1884 in order to standardize time, especially for the purpose of travel.

Word History and Origins

Origin of International Date Line¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

But he does acknowledge that they were guided by a theory that Noonan had failed to account for how the International Date Line would affect his calculations.

From National Geographic

The island is south of Japan, west of the International Date Line and marks the boundary of the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea.

From Seattle Times

It said the storm could hit Wednesday afternoon in the southern part of Guam, which lies west of the International Date Line and is a day ahead of the U.S. mainland and Hawaii.

From Washington Times

Remnants of Typhoon Namtheun, which had dissipated west of the International Date Line on Oct.

From Los Angeles Times

Australia will be among the first nations to ring in 2021 because of its proximity to the International Date Line.

From Seattle Times