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

Integrated LiDAR, radar, GPS, and high-resolution cameras provide a constant, 360-degree digital view of the jobsite. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026

Investigators say a trash bin from the Hampton Court Apartments led them to use the GPS from garbage trucks serving the area. —Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026

Collaring, tracking wolves As part of its efforts to manage California’s expanding wolf population, the state aims to increase GPS collaring of wolves to better track their movements. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026

In November 2021, while massing troops along its border with Ukraine, Russia threatened to cripple GPS if NATO got in the way. —Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 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