triangulation

[ trahy-ang-gyuh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

, Surveying, Navigation.

1. a technique for establishing the distance between any two points, or the relative position of two or more points, by using such points as vertices of a triangle or series of triangles, such that each triangle has a side of known or measurable length base, or base line that permits the size of the angles of the triangle and the length of its other two sides to be established by observations taken either upon or from the two ends of the base line.
2. the triangles thus formed and measured.

triangulation

/ traɪˌæŋɡjʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. a method of surveying in which an area is divided into triangles, one side (the base line) and all angles of which are measured and the lengths of the other lines calculated trigonometrically
2. the network of triangles so formed
3. the fixing of an unknown point, as in navigation, by making it one vertex of a triangle, the other two being known
4. chess a key manoeuvre in the endgame in which the king moves thrice in a triangular path to leave the opposing king with the move and at a disadvantage

triangulation

/ trī-ăng′gyə-lā′shən /

1. A method of determining the relative positions of points in space by measuring the distances, and sometimes angles, between those points and other reference points whose positions are known. Triangulation often involves the use of trigonometry . It is commonly used in the navigation of aircraft and boats, and is the method used in the Global Positioning System , in which the reference points are satellites.

Word History and Origins

Origin of triangulation¹

First recorded in 1810–20; from Medieval Latin triangulātiōn- (stem of triangulātiō ) “the making of triangles”; triangulate, -ion

Example Sentences

The former prime minister writes towards the end of the book that "the road to hell is paved with compromise and triangulation."

From BBC

Does this kind of canny triangulation politics still work in our era of hyper-polarized camps?

From Seattle Times

A new and sophisticated signal-finding antenna, which resembles a carousel, uses triangulation to locate where the radio waves are emanating from.

From Seattle Times

This method involves measuring parallax angles, with the help of the satellite, through a form of triangulation between Gaia's location in space, the Sun and the star in question.

From Science Daily

"The deals between the two Chinese brokers took place through triangulations and fictitious business transactions in China, while the cash travelled by plane to China using the so-called money mules," Ruis said.

From Reuters