: 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
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 WebThere is no candidate for us, and that’s not a surprise, because the smallest quadrant in American politics is occupied by Never Trump conservatives and libertarians.—James Hohmann, Washington Post, 9 July 2024 Cotto began by using a clarifying shampoo to remove any buildup before towel-drying my hair and dividing it into quadrants, thoroughly detangling each section.—Annie Blay, Allure, 8 July 2024 A day later in the nation's capital, a drive-by shooting in the city's Northeast quadrant left nine people injured, including two children, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.—Luke Barr, ABC News, 1 July 2024 The construction will focus specifically on the garden and courtyard homes in the 190-acre area in the northwest quadrant of highways 18 and 67 that was reacquired by Three Pillars in 2020.—Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for quadrant
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quadrant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin quadrant-, quadrans fourth part; akin to Latin quattuor four — more at four
: 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
Share