Mercator projection

noun

: a conformal map projection of which the meridians are usually drawn parallel to each other and the parallels of latitude are straight lines whose distance from each other increases with their distance from the equator

Illustration of Mercator projection

Examples of Mercator projection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That projection prioritizes preserving the relative area of countries and continents, but sacrifices the accuracy of angles of the Mercator projection. — Meghan Bartels, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Ferencevych was referring to the Mercator projection, created in 1569 to aid maritime navigation. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

The Mercator projection was developed primarily for navigation. — Jewel Bright, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

The Mercator projection shows Greenland and Africa as appearing to be about the same size whereas in the Equal Earth projection that shows continents in their true proportions, Africa is 14 times larger than Greenland. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Gerardus Mercator

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Mercator projection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction