Definition of azimuth
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
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quizWords of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizHow Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quizSCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share azimuth
Time Traveler for azimuth
The first known use of azimuth was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century