1
a
: a representation usually on a flat surface of the whole or a part of an area
b
: a representation of the celestial sphere or a part of it
c
: a diagram or other visual representation that shows the relative position of the parts of something
Doctors use the images to construct a detailed three-dimensional map of the patient's brain …—
Discover
Discover2
: something that represents with a clarity suggestive of a map
the Freudian map of the mind—Harold Bloom
Harold Bloom3
: the arrangement of genes on a chromosome
called also genetic map
mapped; mapping
1
a
: to make a map of
map the surface of the moon
b
: to delineate as if on a map
sorrow was mapped on her face
c
: to make a survey of for or as if for the purpose of making a map
d
: to assign (something, such as a set or an element) in a mathematical or exact correspondence
map picture elements to video memory
2
: to plan in detail
—often used with out
map out a program
3
: to locate (a gene) on a chromosome
1
of a gene
: to be located
2
: to be assigned in a relation or connection
the major problems confronting humankind … do not map well onto the traditional disciplines—P. W. Porter
P. W. Porter
mapper
noun
modified American plan
Phrases
all over the map
: marked by a high degree of variation
: in a position of prominence or fame
had put the fledgling university on the map—Lon Tinkle
Lon TinkleExamples of map in a Sentence
Noun
a map of the country
different maps of the world
“Can you find where we are on the map?” “Sorry: I'm no good at reading maps.”
“How do I get to the station?” “Here, let me draw you a map.”
a map of the brain
Verb
The coastline was mapped by early explorers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
At its core, astrology is a map for self-awareness and one of the most underrated tools in this map is the 12 astrological houses.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Richard Collett, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
For the first time, the new imaging technique mapped the 4D blood flow of entire organs in animal models.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for map
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Noun
The agency in charge of making maps and looking at Earth is now preparing to do the same for extraterrestrial bodies.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
At its core, astrology is a map for self-awareness and one of the most underrated tools in this map is the 12 astrological houses.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
In an age where nearly every inch of the world’s landmass has been mapped, examples of terra nullius are exceedingly rare.
—Richard Collett, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
For the first time, the new imaging technique mapped the 4D blood flow of entire organs in animal models.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for map
Cite this Entry
“Map.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/map. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
map
1 of 2 noun1
: a drawing or picture showing selected features of an area (as the surface of the earth or the moon or a section of the brain) and usually drawn to a given scale
2
: a drawing or picture of the sky showing the position of stars and planets
map
2 of 2 verb
mapped; mapping
1
: to make a map of
map the city
2
: to chart the course of : plan in detail
—often used with out
map out a campaign
mapper
noun
Medical Definition
map
1 of 2 noun
: the arrangement of genes on a chromosome
called also genetic map
map
2 of 2 verb
mapped; mapping
: to locate (a gene) on a chromosome
mutants which have been genetically mapped
of a gene
: to be located
a repressor maps near the corresponding structural gene
Biographical Definition
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