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

a

: scope, range

b

: the range of exposures within which a film or plate will produce a negative or positive of satisfactory quality

4

archaic : extent or distance from side to side : width

latitudinal

ˌla-tə-ˈtü-də-nəl 

-ˈtyü-;

-ˈtüd-nəl, 

-ˈtyüd-

adjective

latitudinally adverb

Illustration of latitude

• hemisphere marked with parallels of latitude

Synonyms of latitude

• slack
• leeway

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

Should conditions be favorable, the northern lights could become visible across high-latitude regions such as Alaska, northern Canada, northern Scotland and northern Scandinavia, with the best chances tonight and Saturday night while the solar wind stream is strongest. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 13 Mar. 2026

The Apollo missions collectively brought back nearly 400 kilograms of material scooped up from mid- to low latitudes on the lunar near side, while China’s Chang’e 5 and Chang’e 6 robotic missions have returned smaller samples from the moon’s near and far sides, respectively. —Lee Billings, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2026

Geologists know this because ancient rocks found at low latitudes carry unmistakable traces of glaciers—evidence that ice once existed in regions that are warm today. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 7 Mar. 2026

To protect its incorporation business, Delaware responded by enacting legislation to give controlling shareholders more latitude under the state’s laws. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin latitudin-, latitudo, from latus wide; akin to Old Church Slavic postĭlati to spread

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Rhymes for latitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude

Kids 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

latitudinal

ˌlat-ə-ˈt(y)üd-nəl 

-ᵊn-əl

adjective

latitudinally

-ē

adverb