azimuth

American  

[az-uh-muhth] / ˈæz ə məθ /

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.

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azimuth British  

/ 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

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azimuth Scientific  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• azimuthal adjective
• azimuthally adverb

Etymology

Origin of azimuth

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

Example Sentences

This allows lookouts to determine an azimuth, the term for a type of compass bearing, to mark the location of the smoke.

From BBC

Lambeth said that when the center of gravity is farther away from the face that azimuth angle is greater creating a greater rotation.

From Golf Digest

On June 21, the sun sets at an azimuth of 302 degrees, or 32 degrees north of due west.

From Scientific American

Like revving its thrusts going past Leda or Larissa, cutting in and out of the meteor lanes, turning its azimuth indicator but veering the other way, etc.

From New York Times

When ice is particularly thick, the vessel can turn around and use its huge azimuth thrusters — a versatile type of propeller — to chew a path through the ice.

From Seattle Times