map

1 of 4

noun (1)

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

map

2 of 4

verb

mapped; mapping

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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.

—Philip W. Porter

mappable

ˈma-pə-bəl 

adjective

mapper noun

MAP

3 of 4

abbreviation

modified American plan

mapper

4 of 4

noun (2)

map·​per

ˈmapə(r)

plural -s

1

: cartographer

2

: a fire insurance company clerk who keeps maps showing the location of buildings on which the company has written insurance and data about the coverage

Synonyms of map

Noun (1)

• chart

Verb

• plan
• design
• prepare
• organize
• arrange
• plot
• chart

Examples of map in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Noun

The Warriors don’t need a teenager who needs a map to find the weight room — some long-term project who turns tantalization into annoyance — just add time. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 June 2026

In 1997, Steve-O burned his face while attempting a fire-breathing backflip for the cult skateboarding publication Big Brother, putting him on the map in the world of stunts. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

Verb

The instrument mapped organic material across the mudstones and revealed hundreds of carbon-rich signatures. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 June 2026

Through Yuyuan Tantian – a semi-official social media account run by China’s national broadcaster that Beijing often uses to leak out information to gauge international reaction – China said that its MSA vessels had mapped the seabed east of Taiwan for the first time. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Medieval Latin mappa, from Latin, napkin, towel

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1527, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1586, in the meaning defined at transitive 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

Noun

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

Biographical Definition

Map

biographical name

ˈmap 

Walter circa 1140–circa 1209 English writer