latitude

1 of 2

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

a

: scope, range

b

: the range of exposures within which a film or plate will produce a negative or positive of satisfactory quality

4

archaic : extent or distance from side to side : width

latitudinal

ˌla-tə-ˈtü-də-nəl 

-ˈtyü-;

-ˈtüd-nəl, 

-ˈtyüd-

adjective

latitudinally adverb

Illustration of latitude

• hemisphere marked with parallels of latitude

latitudinal

2 of 2

adjective

lat·​i·​tu·​di·​nal

-‧¦tyü-

: of or relating to latitude and especially to geographical latitude : in the direction of latitude

latitudinally

-d(ᵊ)nəlē, 

-li

adverb

Synonyms of latitude

Noun

• slack
• leeway

Examples of latitude in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

From mid-northern latitudes, Cassiopeia is high and prominent during autumn, on the opposite side of Polaris from the Big Dipper. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Individual businesses have latitude to pursue opportunities within group-wide guidelines and a strong risk-management framework, while central functions provide the governance, systems and controls that keep that autonomy disciplined. — Rob Versaw, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

The weather determines everything in these southerly latitudes of Patagonia. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

The woman's attorneys argued that the decision wrongly gives school officials wide latitude to squelch political speech based on their personal ideas of what is vulgar. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin latitudin-, latitudo, from latus wide; akin to Old Church Slavic postĭlati to spread

Adjective

Latin latitudin-, latitudo latitude + English -al

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Rhymes for latitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude

Kids 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

latitudinal

ˌlat-ə-ˈt(y)üd-nəl 

-ᵊn-əl

adjective

latitudinally

-ē

adverb