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 Tinkle
Synonyms
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 WebKai McNamee, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
How the 24-year-old Grammy winner put Mexican music on the map.
—Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
The song — and its album So Real, which went Platinum — put Moore on the map, leading to her very first Teen PEOPLE sit-down in 1999, too.
—Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
For those planning a trip to the abundant blooms in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, park officials published an interactive map showing some of the best viewing locations.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
That’s why the research team looked at maps of kelp along the entire California coast over about 100 years.
—Olivia Ferrari, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024
Ridge to Rivers recently launched an interactive online trail map that lets users filter trails by difficulty, use and dog regulations.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024
Researchers at Argonne use the ever-changing maps to track the development what DOE calls ‘EV-ready corridors’ on interstate highways and other major roads.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024
He was released in 2019 but put himself back on the map with a 14-win season in Seattle in ’21.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 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
That collection put the style's slouchy silhouettes and plaid flannels on the fashion map, Greer said.
—Kai McNamee, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
How the 24-year-old Grammy winner put Mexican music on the map.
—Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
The song — and its album So Real, which went Platinum — put Moore on the map, leading to her very first Teen PEOPLE sit-down in 1999, too.
—Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
For those planning a trip to the abundant blooms in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, park officials published an interactive map showing some of the best viewing locations.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
That’s why the research team looked at maps of kelp along the entire California coast over about 100 years.
—Olivia Ferrari, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024
Ridge to Rivers recently launched an interactive online trail map that lets users filter trails by difficulty, use and dog regulations.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024
Researchers at Argonne use the ever-changing maps to track the development what DOE calls ‘EV-ready corridors’ on interstate highways and other major roads.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024
He was released in 2019 but put himself back on the map with a 14-win season in Seattle in ’21.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 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.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Medieval Latin mappa, from Latin, napkin, towel
First Known Use
Noun
1527, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1586, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing map
Dictionary Entries Near map
Cite this Entry
“Map.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/map. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on map
Nglish: Translation of map for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of map for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about map
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