true north

American  

noun

Navigation, Surveying.

1. the direction of the north pole from a given point.

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true north British  

noun

1. Also called: geographic north.  the direction from any point along a meridian towards the North Pole Compare magnetic north

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true north Scientific  

1. See geographic north

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Compare meaning

How does true-north compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• true north vs. magnetic north

Example Sentences

The hade is essentially the tilt of the sample, while the azimuth is the absolute direction the sample is pointing relative to true north.

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2024

But her answer is to gradually steer the district toward a new true north, rather than blowing up the system.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 6, 2023

My true north is always finding what feels organic.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2023

Dr. Miller, in a white suit jacket and dark trousers, promised to remind Mr. Kenyatta of his true north, North Philadelphia.

From New York Times • Mar. 4, 2022

The pyramid and the rest of the city are oriented on a rectilinear grid 15° 25” from true north, a direction that may have aligned with the cave mouth.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann