map

¹

[ map ]

noun

1. a representation, usually on a flat surface, as of the features of an area of the earth or a portion of the heavens, showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships according to some convention of representation:

   a map of Canada.

   Synonyms: diagram, outline, plan

2. a maplike delineation, representation, or reflection of anything:

   The old man's face is a map of time.

3. Mathematics. function ( def 4a ).
4. Slang. the face:

   Wipe that smile off that ugly map of yours.

5. Genetics. genetic map.

verb (used with object)

, mapped, map·ping.

1. to represent or delineate on or as if on a map.
2. to sketch or plan (often followed by out ):

   to map out a new career.

Map

²

[ map ]

noun

1. Walter, c1140–1209?, Welsh ecclesiastic, poet, and satirist.

MAP

³

abbreviation for

1. modified American plan.

Map

¹

/ mæp; ˈmeɪpiːz; mæps /

noun

1. MapWalter?1140?1209MWelshRELIGION: clergymanWRITING: satirist Walter. ?1140–?1209, Welsh ecclesiastic and satirical writer. His chief work is the miscellany De Nugis curialium

map

²

/ mæp /

noun

1. a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface or part of it, showing the geographical distributions, positions, etc, of natural or artificial features such as roads, towns, relief, rainfall, etc
2. a diagrammatic representation of the distribution of stars or of the surface of a celestial body

   a lunar map

3. a maplike drawing of anything
4. maths another name for function
5. a slang word for face
6. off the map
   no longer important or in existence (esp in the phrase wipe off the map )
7. put on the map
   to make (a town, company, etc) well-known

verb

1. to make a map of
2. maths to represent or transform (a function, figure, set, etc) See also map out

   the results were mapped onto a graph

3. map onto
   intr to fit in with or correspond to

map

/ măp /

1. A representation of a region of three-dimensional space, such as of the Earth or a part of the universe, usually on a two-dimensional plane surface.
2. See also projection
3. See genetic map

Derived Forms

• ˈmapper, noun
• ˈmapless, adjective
• ˈmappable, adjective

Other Words From

• mappa·ble adjective
• mapper noun
• re·map verb (used with object) remapped remapping
• self-mapped adjective
• un·mappa·ble adjective
• un·mapped adjective
• well-mapped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of map¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English mappe-(mounde), from Medieval Latin mappa mundī “map of the world,” special use of Latin mappa “napkin,” said to be from Punic; perhaps compare Mishnaic Hebrew mapāh “tablecloth”

Word History and Origins

Origin of map¹

C16: from Medieval Latin mappa ( mundi ) map (of the world), from Latin mappa cloth

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. off the map, out of existence; into oblivion:

   Whole cities were wiped off the map.

2. put on the map, to bring into the public eye; make known, famous, or prominent:

   The discovery of gold put our town on the map.

More idioms and phrases containing map

see put on the map ; wipe off the map .

Synonym Study

Map, chart, graph refer to representations of surfaces, areas, or facts. Map most commonly refers to a representation of the surface of the earth or a section of it, or an area of the sky: a map of England. A chart may be an outline map with symbols conveying information superimposed on it, a map designed especially for navigators on water or in the air, a diagram, or a table giving information in an orderly form: a chart of the shoals off a coast. A graph may be a diagram representing a set of interrelated facts by means of dots or lines on a coordinate background; or it may use small figures (people, animals, machines, etc.) appropriate to the facts being represented, each figure standing for a specific number in statistics being given: a graph of the rise in population from 1900 to 1980.

Example Sentences

The study marks a significant milestone as the first genetic investigation of piangua in Colombia, complete with the first detailed mapping of its genome.

From Science Daily

Anthony De Mello, the president of Board of Control for Cricket in India, announced the team with a backdrop of a map of undivided India, proclaiming that the team would represent all of India.

From BBC

The researchers were able to map different classes of the insecticides across the state.

From Science Daily

Beginning in early 2025, researchers plan to deploy thousands of instruments and drill holes to record-setting depths, all with the goal of creating a 3D map of the rock layers kilometers below the surface.

From Science Magazine

The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank, has published a map of 225 Russian military installations within range of ATACMS.

From BBC

Related Words

• design
• drawing
• graph
• outline
• picture
• plan
• print
• sketch