Illustration of latitude
- hemisphere marked with parallels of latitude
latitude
noun
lat·i·tude
ˈla-tə-ˌtüd 
-ˌtyüd
1
: angular distance from some specified circle or plane of reference: such as
a
: angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measured through 90 degrees
an island located at 40 degrees north latitude
b
: a region or locality as marked by its latitude
c
: angular distance of a celestial body from the ecliptic
2
: freedom of action or choice
students are allowed considerable latitude in choosing courses
3
4
archaic
: extent or distance from side to side : width
latitudinally
adverb
Examples of latitude in a Sentence
a map of the world showing lines of latitude and longitude
located at a latitude of 40 degrees north
Madrid and New York City are on nearly the same latitude.
islands located at different latitudes
We weren't given much latitude in deciding how to do the job.
The judge has wide latitude to reject evidence for the trial.
Recent Examples on the Web
During oral arguments on June 17, all three judges suggested that presidents have wide latitude under the federal law at issue and that courts should be reluctant to step in.
—
Staff, Christian Science Monitor, 20 June 2025
This means that the aurora borealis may be viewed from lower latitudes than usual.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
About ten thousand years ago, however, as the world warmed toward modern temperatures, the species retreated to high mountains and to far-northern latitudes.
—Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
We were given the latitude in postproduction to lean into the mistakes and make virtues of them — to cut the show at the breakneck pace that became its hallmark.
—Mickey Down, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for latitude
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Staff, Christian Science Monitor, 20 June 2025
This means that the aurora borealis may be viewed from lower latitudes than usual.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
About ten thousand years ago, however, as the world warmed toward modern temperatures, the species retreated to high mountains and to far-northern latitudes.
—Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
We were given the latitude in postproduction to lean into the mistakes and make virtues of them — to cut the show at the breakneck pace that became its hallmark.
—Mickey Down, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for latitude
Cite this Entry
“Latitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latitude. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
latitude
noun
lat·i·tude
ˈlat-ə-ˌt(y)üd
1
a
: distance north or south from the equator measured in degrees
b
: a region or locality as marked by its latitude
2
: freedom from narrow restrictions
were allowed latitude in picking report topics
latitudinally
adverb
-ē
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