meridian
muh-RID-ee-un
/məˈrɪdiən/
A circle of constant longitude passing through a given place on the earth's surface and the terrestrial poles.
Also used to refer to the peak or highest point of something (the 'meridian of one's career').
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'meridies', meaning 'mid-day.' This is because when the sun crosses your meridian, it is at its highest point, and it is noon (mid-day). This is also where 'a.m.' (ante meridiem) and 'p.m.' (post meridiem) come from.
Word relationships
- longitude line: Meridian is the formal geographic term.
- parallel: Parallels are lines of latitude; meridians are lines of longitude.
Commonly confused with
- equator: The Equator is the 0-degree parallel; the Prime Meridian is the 0-degree meridian.
Collocations
- prime meridian
- meridian line
- celestial meridian
Example sentences
- "He had reached the meridian of his life, where the sun of his youth began to set." Literature
- "The Prime Meridian at Greenwich divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres." Geography
Memory hook
A 'Merry Day' (Meridian) happens at noon when the sun is on the line. Mid-day line.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'parallel' (latitude).
Fun facts
- The Prime Meridian was officially established at Greenwich in 1884 after an international vote.
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