latitude
LAT-ih-tood
/ˈlætɪtjuːd/
The angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator.
Metaphorically, it can also mean scope for freedom of action or thought.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'latus' meaning 'wide.' Early Mediterranean mariners thought of the world as being wider from east to west than it was from north to south, so 'width' became the term for the north-south measurement.
Word relationships
- parallel: A parallel is the actual line on a map representing a specific latitude.
- longitude: Longitude measures east-west distance, whereas latitude measures north-south.
Commonly confused with
- longitude: Latitude lines are horizontal (like rungs on a ladder); longitude lines are vertical.
Collocations
- high latitude
- degree of latitude
- northern latitude
Idioms & expressions
- give someone latitude
Example sentences
- "The latitude of the place was determined by the height of the sun at noon." Scientific observation
- "Regions at high latitude experience much colder winters than those near the equator." Climate study
Memory hook
Latitude is like a 'Ladder'—the rungs go up and down (north/south), but the lines are horizontal. Lat is Fat (horizontal).
When not to use
Do not confuse with longitude (east/west).
Fun facts
- The Equator is 0 degrees latitude.
Explore more words
permissive, discretion, broad-minded, discretionary, freedom, lenient
Also appears in
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