map

noun

ˈmap 

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

2

: something that represents with a clarity suggestive of a map

The Freudian map of the mind …

—Harold Bloom

3

: the arrangement of genes on a chromosome

called also genetic map

4

: function sense 5a

maplike

ˈmap-ˌlīk 

adjective

see also:

all over the map on the map

Synonyms of map

• chart

Examples of map in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss up after California voters approved a new congressional map last year to counter Texas' redrawn districts, reshaping the Bakersfield-area 22nd district. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 10 June 2026

While individual stars like Duran and Rivera have helped place the country on the sporting map, supporting ‘La Sele’ has quickly become the nation’s favourite pastime. —Elias Burke, New York Times, 10 June 2026

The new map slightly increased the district’s already Democratic registration advantage while shifting its boundaries northward to include communities such as Huron, Riverdale, Caruthers, Kerman and San Joaquin. —Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026

Category 1 buyers were shown maps indicating premium seats near the 50-yard line. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin mappa, from Latin, napkin, towel

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing map

• all over the map
• contour map
• genetic map
• map onto
• map out
• on the map
• put (something or someone) on the map
• relief map
• road map
• site map
• street map
• weather map
• wipe (someone or something) off the map

Rhymes for map

• app
• cap
• chap
• clap
• crap
• flap
• frap
• gap
• hap
• lap
• nap
• nappe

Kids Definition

map

1 of 2 noun

ˈmap 

1

: 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

Etymology

from Latin mappa "map," from earlier mappa "napkin, towel" — related to apron, napkin

Medical Definition

map

1 of 2 noun

ˈmap 

: the arrangement of genes on a chromosome

called also genetic map

map

2 of 2 verb

mapped; mapping

transitive verb

: to locate (a gene) on a chromosome

mutants which have been genetically mapped

intransitive verb

of a gene : to be located

a repressor maps near the corresponding structural gene