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

The location of four climbers is showing up on GPS, according to Alpine Club general secretary Ayaz Ahmed Shigri. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Universities have produced lifesaving discoveries and innovations that have forever changed modern life, such as GPS, X-ray technology, synthetic insulin and the foundation of artificial intelligence. — Daniel Diermeier, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

The radio signals specifically jam positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) signals, including GPS data, that precision weapons rely on to navigate accurately. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Dirk MacLeod started with a schematic documenting the GPS position of every house, pole, and length of cable that would ultimately form the network. — IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 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