gps

¹ American  

Or GPS,

abbreviation

1. gallons per second.

---

GPS ² American  

[jee-pee-es] / ˈdʒiˈpiˈɛs /

abbreviation

1. Global Positioning System:

   1. a global system of U.S. navigational satellites developed to provide precise positional and velocity data and global time synchronization for air, sea, and land travel.

   2. an electronic system that uses these satellites to determine the position of a vehicle, person, etc..

      School buses will be equipped with GPS.

   3. Also called GPS receiver.  a receiver that determines its position by analyzing the satellite signals it receives.

      With the GPS in a smartphone, a utilities maintenance crew can navigate to within a few feet of a water meter.

---

verb (used with object)

GPSed, GPS'd, GPSing

1. to locate, track, or map by using a GPS system: The trail was scouted and GPSed by volunteers.

   My dad asked me to GPS the nearest gas station.

   The trail was scouted and GPSed by volunteers.

2. to equip with a GPS system.

   My new Honda is GPSed.

verb (used without object)

GPSed, GPS'd, GPSing

1. to use a GPS system to get to a place.

   With two hours to kill in an unfamiliar area, I GPSed to a shopping center.

GPS British  

abbreviation

1. global positioning system

2. (in Australia) Great Public Schools; used of a group of mainly nonstate schools, and of sporting competitions between them

---

GPS Scientific  

1. Abbreviation of Global Positioning System

---

Etymology

Origin of GPS

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Researchers have proposed quantum compasses as highly accurate, "unjammable" alternatives to GPS that do not rely on satellites, and phonon lasers could help bring such concepts closer to reality.

From Science Daily

The UCI introduced GPS trackers for the 2025 World Championships in Rwanda, so the whereabouts of riders were known at all times.

From BBC

The GPS was now suggesting she follow this sort of Jeep rut.

From Literature

She checked her GPS, but it had gone completely squirrelly.

From Literature

Otherwise known as red skin syndrome, TSW is still so under-researched that some GPs and dermatologists struggle to diagnose or treat it.

From BBC