altazimuth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowTechnical/specialized
Quick answer
What does “altazimuth” mean?
A telescope mounting that allows independent movement in altitude (vertical angle) and azimuth (horizontal angle).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A telescope mounting that allows independent movement in altitude (vertical angle) and azimuth (horizontal angle).
An instrument or mounting system used in astronomy and surveying to measure or track celestial objects by their altitude and azimuth coordinates.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Technical precision, astronomical observation, scientific instrumentation.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to specialized technical fields.
Grammar
How to Use “altazimuth” in a Sentence
The [noun] uses an altazimuth mount.They aligned the [noun] using altazimuth coordinates.An altazimuth is essential for [gerund].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “altazimuth” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The altazimuth mechanism required careful calibration.
- It was a basic altazimuth design.
American English
- The altazimuth mechanism needed careful calibration.
- It was a simple altazimuth design.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in astronomy, physics, and engineering papers discussing telescope design or celestial mechanics.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in astronomy for a common telescope mounting type; also used in surveying and ballistics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “altazimuth”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “altazimuth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “altazimuth”
- Misspelling as 'altazamuth' or 'altazamith'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to altazimuth the telescope').
- Confusing it with 'theodolite', which is a similar surveying instrument.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialized technical term used almost exclusively in astronomy, surveying, and related engineering fields.
No, it is exclusively a noun (and can function attributively as an adjective, e.g., 'altazimuth mount'). There is no standard verb form.
The main alternative is an equatorial mount, which is aligned with the Earth's axis of rotation to track stars with a single motor.
Altazimuth mounts are generally simpler, more compact, and less expensive to build for large telescopes, though they require computerised tracking to follow celestial objects accurately.
A telescope mounting that allows independent movement in altitude (vertical angle) and azimuth (horizontal angle).
Altazimuth is usually technical/specialized in register.
Altazimuth: in British English it is pronounced /ælˈtæzɪməθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ælˈtæzɪməθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'ALTitude' + 'AZIMUTH' = ALT-AZ-imuth. It measures how high (altitude) and around (azimuth) something is in the sky.
Conceptual Metaphor
A two-dimensional pointer: up/down and left/right, like a joystick controlling a view of the sky.
Practice
Quiz
What are the two axes of movement in an altazimuth system?