: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
His hiking companion trekked to an area with cell service and provided GPS coordinates to authorities. James Ward, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025 The former head coach has been ordered to take anger management classes, wear a GPS tether and not contact the victim. Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025 Veneziano was also ordered to wear a GPS monitor. Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025 The atomic clock, which uses cesium atoms to measure the exact length of a second, is used for GPS satellite networks, data centers, laboratories, aerospace, telecommunications, power generation and other systems that require ultra-precise timekeeping. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for GPS

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Global Positioning System

First Known Use

Noun

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of GPS was in 1974

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“GPS.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/GPS. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on GPS

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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