GPS

1 of 2

noun

ˌjē-(ˌ)pē-ˈes 

: a navigational system using satellite signals to fix the location of a radio receiver on or above the earth's surface

also : the radio receiver so used

GPS

2 of 2

abbreviation

gallons per second

Examples of GPS in a Sentence

Noun

The car comes with GPS.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Investigators were able to obtain GPS information from cell phones belonging to Brown and the woman. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

Those illicit techniques include attaching a GPS tracker to a car or using cell-tower data to track a potential offender. — Rafael A. Mangual, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026

The company lists satellites, radar, GPS, electronic warfare, and future 6G networks among potential applications. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026

After experts made a preliminary site visit, however, Robinson told ABC News there is a chance this is a different ship based on the GPS location. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Global Positioning System

First Known Use

Noun

1974, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

GPS

noun

ˌjē-ˌpē-ˈes

: a navigation system that uses satellite signals to find the location of a radio receiver on or above the earth's surface

also : a radio receiver used in a GPS system

Etymology

Noun

Global Positioning System