coordinate

noun

co·​or·​di·​nate kō-ˈȯr-də-nət 

-ˈȯrd-nət, 

-də-ˌnāt

1

a

: any of a set of numbers used in specifying the location of a point on a line, on a surface, or in space

latitude and longitude coordinates

b

: any one of a set of variables used in specifying the state of a substance or the motion of a particle or momentum

2

: one who is of equal rank, authority, or importance with another

3

coordinates plural : articles (as of clothing) designed to be used together and to attain their effect through pleasing contrast (as of color, material, or texture)

Synonyms of coordinate

• equivalent
• counterpart
• partner
• parallel

Examples of coordinate in a Sentence

We calculated its exact coordinates.

the Nobel Memorial Award for Economic Science is universally regarded as the coordinate of the original Nobel Prizes for peace, literature, medicine, physics, and chemistry

Recent Examples on the Web

Husband and wife Topher Grace and Ashley Hinshaw coordinate in matching shades of blue at the MPTF NextGen Summer Party in Los Angeles on May 31. —People Staff, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026

Omari Obeng Stewart is also accused of traveling between Maryland and West Virginia to supply, coordinate, and sell cocaine and cocaine base. —Michael Guise, CBS News, 3 June 2026

The temperature data comes from the India Meteorological Department, processed through IMD Live and mapped to the nearest facility coordinates. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 2 June 2026

When an American battalion was trapped behind enemy lines in World War I, a pigeon delivered the coordinates that helped save the soldiers when no human messenger could. —Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing coordinate

• Cartesian coordinate
• coordinate bond
• coordinate clause
• coordinate geometry
• cylindrical coordinate
• polar coordinate
• rectangular coordinate
• spherical coordinate
• x-coordinate
• y-coordinate
• z-coordinate

Rhymes for coordinate

• ordinate
• inordinate
• superordinate

Kids Definition

coordinate

1 of 3 adjective

co·​or·​di·​nate kō-ˈȯrd-nət 

-ᵊn-ət

1

: equal in rank

2

: being of equal rank in a compound sentence

coordinate clauses

coordinately adverb

coordinate

2 of 3 verb

co·​or·​di·​nate kō-ˈȯrd-ᵊn-ˌāt 

coordinated; coordinating

1

: to make or become coordinate

2

: to work or cause to work together smoothly

coordinator

-ˌāt-ər 

noun

coordinate

3 of 3 noun

co·​or·​di·​nate kō-ˈȯrd-nət 

-ᵊn-ət

1

: one that is coordinate with another

2

: any of a set of numbers used to locate a point on a line or surface or in space

Medical Definition

coordinate

verb

co·​or·​di·​nate kō-ˈȯrd-ᵊn-ˌāt 

coordinated; coordinating

transitive verb

: to bring into a common action, movement, or condition

coordinate muscular movements

intransitive verb

: to function together in a concerted way