azimuth

noun az·i·muth \ ˈaz-məth , ˈa-zə- \

1 : an arc of the horizon measured between a fixed point (such as true north) and the vertical circle passing through the center of an object usually in astronomy and navigation clockwise from the north point through 360 degrees

2 : horizontal direction expressed as the angular distance between the direction of a fixed point (such as the observer's heading) and the direction of the object

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azimuthal

play \ˌa-zə-ˈmə-thəl\ adjective

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azimuthally

play \-ˈmə-thə-lē\ adverb

See azimuth defined for kids

Recent Examples of azimuth from the Web

The large yellow underwing moth, for instance, can use the moon’s azimuth (or horizontal bearing) to help orient its flight—a skill that other creatures, such as sand fleas, also employ to great effect.

— National Geographic, "Sex, Death, and Pollination: How the Moon Changes Life on Earth," 6 July 2017
When ice is particularly thick, the vessel can turn around and use its huge azimuth thrusters — a versatile type of propeller — to chew a path through the ice.

— Washington Post, "Battering rams of the Arctic: icebreakers, explained," 20 July 2017
The large yellow underwing moth, for instance, can use the moon’s azimuth (or horizontal bearing) to help orient its flight—a skill that other creatures, such as sand fleas, also employ to great effect.

— National Geographic, "Sex, Death, and Pollination: How the Moon Changes Life on Earth," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'azimuth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.