Illustration of latitude
- hemisphere marked with parallels of latitude
latitude
noun
lat·i·tude
ˈla-tə-ˌtüd 
-ˌtyüd
1
: angular distance from some specified circle or plane of reference: such as
a
: angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measured through 90 degrees
an island located at 40 degrees north latitude
b
: a region or locality as marked by its latitude
c
: angular distance of a celestial body from the ecliptic
2
: freedom of action or choice
students are allowed considerable latitude in choosing courses
3
4
archaic
: extent or distance from side to side : width
latitudinally
adverb
Examples of latitude in a Sentence
a map of the world showing lines of latitude and longitude
located at a latitude of 40 degrees north
Madrid and New York City are on nearly the same latitude.
islands located at different latitudes
We weren't given much latitude in deciding how to do the job.
The judge has wide latitude to reject evidence for the trial.
Recent Examples on the Web
But on the whole, the company has benefited enormously from giving its volunteer moderators wide latitude to create and enforce their own rules.
—
Kevin Roose, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
One of the device’s circular plates is marked for North African latitudes, meaning it may have been used in Morocco or Egypt.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for latitude 
Kevin Roose, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
One of the device’s circular plates is marked for North African latitudes, meaning it may have been used in Morocco or Egypt.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for latitude
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'latitude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near latitude
Cite this Entry
“Latitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latitude. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
latitude
noun
lat·i·tude
ˈlat-ə-ˌt(y)üd
1
a
: distance north or south from the equator measured in degrees
b
: a region or locality as marked by its latitude
2
: freedom from narrow restrictions
were allowed latitude in picking report topics
latitudinally
adverb
-ē
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