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
The possibility of displays of the aurora borealis at more southerly latitudes than is typical is also down to an increase in solar activity, which is currently at a 23-year high due to the current solar maximum period.
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
To identify these tracks, the researchers manually analyzed thousands of images of the moon’s surface between 40° north and 40° south latitude, where sunlight makes the bright trails visible.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
The 20-to-30 degrees of galactic latitude, both north and south of the galactic plane, were dubbed the Zone of Avoidance in the late 19th century, because while there were huge numbers of spiral nebulae elsewhere, all across the sky, there were none found in or near the plane of the Milky Way.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
Underwater ecosystems span Japan’s islands and latitudes.
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for latitude
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
To identify these tracks, the researchers manually analyzed thousands of images of the moon’s surface between 40° north and 40° south latitude, where sunlight makes the bright trails visible.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
The 20-to-30 degrees of galactic latitude, both north and south of the galactic plane, were dubbed the Zone of Avoidance in the late 19th century, because while there were huge numbers of spiral nebulae elsewhere, all across the sky, there were none found in or near the plane of the Milky Way.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
Underwater ecosystems span Japan’s islands and latitudes.
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 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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