coordinate

1 of 3

adjective

co·​or·​di·​nate kō-ˈȯrd-nət How to pronounce coordinate (audio)
-ˈȯr-də-nət,
-də-ˌnāt
1
a
: equal in rank, quality, or significance
keeping the branches of government coordinate
b
: being of equal rank in a sentence
coordinate clauses
2
: relating to or marked by coordination
3
a
: being a university that awards degrees to men and women taught usually by the same faculty but attending separate classes often on separate campuses
b
: being one of the colleges and especially the women's branch of a coordinate university
4
: of, relating to, or being a system of indexing by two or more terms so that documents may be retrieved through the intersection of index terms
coordinately adverb
coordinateness noun

coordinate

2 of 3

verb

co·​or·​di·​nate kō-ˈȯr-də-ˌnāt How to pronounce coordinate (audio)
coordinated; coordinating

transitive verb

1
: to put in the same order or rank
2
: to bring into a common action, movement, or condition : harmonize
coordinate schedules
She'll be coordinating the relief effort.
3
: to attach so as to form a coordination complex

intransitive verb

1
: to be or become equal in rank, quality, or significance especially so as to act or work together well
2
: to combine by means of a coordinate bond
coordinative
kō-ˈȯrd-nə-tiv How to pronounce coordinate (audio)
-ˈȯr-də-nə-tiv
-də-ˌnā-
adjective

coordinate

3 of 3

noun

co·​or·​di·​nate kō-ˈȯrd-nət How to pronounce coordinate (audio)
-ˈȯr-də-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)

Examples of coordinate in a Sentence

Verb She'll be coordinating the relief effort. You'll have to coordinate with the sales department. National and international relief efforts must coordinate if the operation is to be successful. We need to coordinate our schedules. Dancers need to coordinate their moves. Since his illness, he has had trouble coordinating his arms and legs. Noun 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The map was an attempt at a compromise between distorting the areas of continents and the angles of coordinate line. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2022 There exist a number of particularly useful coordinate choices for this space. Mark Trodden, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2012
Verb
The eye shadow, liquid eyeliner, high-shine lipstick, and cream highlighter all coordinate in universally-flattering peaches, corals, and pinks. Devon Abelman, Allure, 23 Nov. 2024 Hegseth would manage the Pentagon, craft national defense policy, and coordinate intelligence — via the Defense Intelligence Agency — with the National Security Council. Graham Kates, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
The coordinates also serve a practical purpose for travelers wishing to cutdown on luggage. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Nov. 2024 In his new role, and based in L.A., Smith helps run the official NFL Instagram, NFL Style, captures and coordinates getting ready content in players’ homes, and works with agents to help forge and manage relationships between athletes and various fashion houses. Leah Faye Cooper, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for coordinate 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Verb, and Noun

probably back-formation from coordination

First Known Use

Adjective

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1665, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of coordinate was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near coordinate

Cite this Entry

“Coordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coordinate. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

coordinate

1 of 3 adjective
co·​or·​di·​nate kō-ˈȯrd-nət How to pronounce coordinate (audio)
-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 How to pronounce coordinate (audio)
coordinated; coordinating
1
: to make or become coordinate
2
: to work or cause to work together smoothly
coordinator noun

coordinate

3 of 3 noun
co·​or·​di·​nate kō-ˈȯrd-nət How to pronounce coordinate (audio)
-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 How to pronounce coordinate (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on coordinate

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