coordinate
koh-OR-dih-nate
/koʊˈɔːrdɪnət/
Each of a group of numbers used to indicate the position of a point, line, or plane.
In navigation, it usually refers to the intersection of latitude and longitude.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'ordinare', meaning to put in order. The 'co-' prefix implies bringing things together into a shared system of order.
Word relationships
- position: Position is a general location; a coordinate is the specific numerical value of that location.
Commonly confused with
- ordinate: In a 2D graph, the ordinate is specifically the y-value, while a coordinate is the pair (x,y).
Word family
- coordination (noun): The organization of the different elements of a complex body or activity.
Collocations
- geographic coordinates
- grid coordinate
- coordinate system
Example sentences
- "The system of coordinates allows us to pinpoint any location on the globe." Mathematics
- "The pilot was given the exact coordinate for the emergency landing." Rescue mission
Memory hook
Co- (together) + Ordinate (order). Putting numbers together to find an order. Numbers in order.
When not to use
As a verb, it means to organize; as a noun in this context, it is strictly mathematical.
Fun facts
- The Cartesian coordinate system is named after René Descartes, who supposedly came up with it while watching a fly on his ceiling.
Explore more words
coordination, logistics, orchestrate, integrate, mobilize, alignment
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.