quadrant

noun

quad·​rant ˈkwä-drənt 

1

a

: an instrument for measuring altitudes consisting commonly of a graduated arc of 90 degrees with an index or vernier and usually having a plumb line or spirit level for fixing the vertical or horizontal direction

b

: a device or mechanical part shaped like or suggestive of the quadrant of a circle

2

a

: an arc of 90 degrees that is one quarter of a circle

b

: the area bounded by a quadrant and two radii

3

a

: any of the four parts into which a plane is divided by rectangular coordinate axes lying in that plane

b

: any of the four quarters into which something is divided by two real or imaginary lines that intersect each other at right angles

quadrantal

kwä-ˈdran-tᵊl 

adjective

Illustration of quadrant

• quadrant 2

Did you know?

This word is used for a traditional instrument, used to make calculations of altitude and traditionally employed by sailors to navigate, which has a piece shaped like a quarter of a circle. A quadrant shower is a shower that fits snugly into a bathroom corner and displays a curved front, making a quadrant shape on the floor. But perhaps quadrant is used most often today to name a particular quarter of a city.

Examples of quadrant in a Sentence

Draw two intersecting lines that divide the page into four quadrants.

The town is located in the northwest quadrant of the state.

Recent Examples on the Web

The mouth feel, while not especially viscous, does just enough to allow flavors to linger across multiple quadrants of the tongue. —David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025

The coat of arms features three lions in the first and fourth quadrants representing England, a rampant lion in the second quadrant for Scotland and a stringed argent, or harp, in the third quadrant for Ireland. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 18 July 2025

Little Elm: Located at southwest quadrant of U.S. Highway 30 and Ryan Spiritas Parkway; approximately 148,000 sq. ft. Stafford: Located at Arc Lane; approximately 124,500 sq. ft. Utah Target store near me: new locations coming soon Herriman: Located at 13251 S. Towne Commons Drive; Approx. —Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 14 July 2025

Damage to Lowery, Lowery and Cherry's law office on the southeast quadrant of the square included broken windows with glass scattered throughout the first floor, metal lodged in the wall and floor, front door, light and drywall damage, attorney Jeff Lowery said. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin quadrant-, quadrans fourth part; akin to Latin quattuor four — more at four

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

quadrant

noun

quad·​rant ˈkwäd-rənt 

1

: an arc of 90° : one quarter of a circle

2

: any of the four quarters into which something is divided by two real or imaginary lines that intersect each other at right angles

Medical Definition

quadrant

noun

quad·​rant ˈkwäd-rənt 

1

: an arc of 90° that is one quarter of a circle

2

: any of the four more or less equivalent segments into which an anatomic structure may be divided by vertical and horizontal partitioning through its midpoint

pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen