1
a
: a representation usually on a flat surface of the whole or a part of an area
b
: a representation of the celestial sphere or a part of it
c
: a diagram or other visual representation that shows the relative position of the parts of something
Doctors use the images to construct a detailed three-dimensional map of the patient's brain …—
Discover
Discover2
: something that represents with a clarity suggestive of a map
the Freudian map of the mind—Harold Bloom
Harold Bloom3
: the arrangement of genes on a chromosome
called also genetic map
mapped; mapping
1
a
: to make a map of
map the surface of the moon
b
: to delineate as if on a map
sorrow was mapped on her face
c
: to make a survey of for or as if for the purpose of making a map
d
: to assign (something, such as a set or an element) in a mathematical or exact correspondence
map picture elements to video memory
2
: to plan in detail
—often used with out
map out a program
3
: to locate (a gene) on a chromosome
1
of a gene
: to be located
2
: to be assigned in a relation or connection
the major problems confronting humankind … do not map well onto the traditional disciplines—P. W. Porter
P. W. Porter
mapper
noun
modified American plan
Phrases
all over the map
: marked by a high degree of variation
: in a position of prominence or fame
had put the fledgling university on the map—Lon Tinkle
Lon TinkleSynonyms
Examples of map in a Sentence
Noun
a map of the country
different maps of the world
“Can you find where we are on the map?” “Sorry: I'm no good at reading maps.”
“How do I get to the station?” “Here, let me draw you a map.”
a map of the brain
Verb
The coastline was mapped by early explorers.
Recent Examples on the WebJenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 22 Apr. 2024
What is the landscape of America if not a map of exactly this type of savagery?
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024
Those who want to see where the animals are currently grazing can check out the interactive map created by the city’s geographic information systems, or GIS, team.
—Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 20 Apr. 2024
The first map shows that just 6.1 percent of non-freeway local roadways account for more than half of fatal crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
An 1887 Sanborn fire insurance map which shows the eight-foot setback on Remsen Street as the shallow white space between the street and each pink or blue building outline.
—Jeremy Lechtzin, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
For current air quality status levels, visit Maricopa County’s air quality status map, and for a look-ahead of the levels, visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s air quality forecast.
—Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
In a new summer forecast map released Thursday by NOAA, nearly the entire nation is enshrouded in red or orange, meaning warmer-than-average temperatures are expected for the months of June, July and August.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
Climate Prediction Center maps show a 33-40% chance of above-average precipitation in much of the southeastern U.S. and central Midwest this May, including the Kansas City area.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2024
Robin Cole, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
His readings of paintings usefully map his inner upheavals.
—Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024
After mapping both New Zealand’s North and South Islands, Cook headed to Australia, then known as New Holland.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Keeping the hits coming means preventing the Russians from mapping Ukraine’s coastal forces.
—David Axe, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Baltimore bridge graphics:After ship hits Baltimore bridge, mapping how the collapse unfolded
How safe are America's bridges?
—Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
About a decade ago, researcher Terence Christian conducted an archaeological survey of the region, mapping several of its crash sites.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024
By mapping Angeli-Chansley’s personal brew of beliefs to the (surprisingly woo) history of science, Kaufman teases out a discomfiting truth dating back to Isaac Newton himself.
—Peter Rubin, Longreads, 19 Mar. 2024
Research satellites might track ice shelf shifts on Monday and on Tuesday pivot to mapping force movements in Australia.
—Elizabeth Buchanan, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2024
Noun
Best photos from No. 1 public course in Michigan
The golf club announced the addition on its Instagram Monday, posting a rendering of the course map.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 22 Apr. 2024
What is the landscape of America if not a map of exactly this type of savagery?
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024
Those who want to see where the animals are currently grazing can check out the interactive map created by the city’s geographic information systems, or GIS, team.
—Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 20 Apr. 2024
The first map shows that just 6.1 percent of non-freeway local roadways account for more than half of fatal crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
An 1887 Sanborn fire insurance map which shows the eight-foot setback on Remsen Street as the shallow white space between the street and each pink or blue building outline.
—Jeremy Lechtzin, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
For current air quality status levels, visit Maricopa County’s air quality status map, and for a look-ahead of the levels, visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s air quality forecast.
—Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
In a new summer forecast map released Thursday by NOAA, nearly the entire nation is enshrouded in red or orange, meaning warmer-than-average temperatures are expected for the months of June, July and August.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
Climate Prediction Center maps show a 33-40% chance of above-average precipitation in much of the southeastern U.S. and central Midwest this May, including the Kansas City area.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2024
Verb
Testing players’ health and fitness regularly helped the team map their strategy for upcoming games.
—Robin Cole, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
His readings of paintings usefully map his inner upheavals.
—Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024
After mapping both New Zealand’s North and South Islands, Cook headed to Australia, then known as New Holland.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Keeping the hits coming means preventing the Russians from mapping Ukraine’s coastal forces.
—David Axe, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Baltimore bridge graphics:After ship hits Baltimore bridge, mapping how the collapse unfolded
How safe are America's bridges?
—Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
About a decade ago, researcher Terence Christian conducted an archaeological survey of the region, mapping several of its crash sites.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024
By mapping Angeli-Chansley’s personal brew of beliefs to the (surprisingly woo) history of science, Kaufman teases out a discomfiting truth dating back to Isaac Newton himself.
—Peter Rubin, Longreads, 19 Mar. 2024
Research satellites might track ice shelf shifts on Monday and on Tuesday pivot to mapping force movements in Australia.
—Elizabeth Buchanan, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'map.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near map
Cite this Entry
“Map.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/map. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
map
1 of 2 noun1
: a drawing or picture showing selected features of an area (as the surface of the earth or the moon or a section of the brain) and usually drawn to a given scale
2
: a drawing or picture of the sky showing the position of stars and planets
map
2 of 2 verb
mapped; mapping
1
: to make a map of
map the heavens
2
: to chart the course of : plan in detail
—often used with out
map out a campaign
mapper
noun
Medical Definition
map
1 of 2 noun
: the arrangement of genes on a chromosome
called also genetic map
map
2 of 2 verb
mapped; mapping
: to locate (a gene) on a chromosome
mutants which have been genetically mapped
of a gene
: to be located
a repressor maps near the corresponding structural gene
Biographical Definition
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