longitude: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Academic, Technical, Geographic
Quick answer
What does “longitude” mean?
The angular distance of a point east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees along the equator.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The angular distance of a point east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees along the equator.
A geographic coordinate specifying east-west position on the Earth's surface; also used conceptually in astronomy to describe positions on the celestial sphere.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The Greenwich Meridian (0° longitude) is the standard in both, though Greenwich is in the UK.
Connotations
Neutral, technical term. Associated with navigation, map-making, and GPS technology equally.
Frequency
Equal frequency in academic and technical contexts. Slightly less common in general US everyday speech compared to the UK, due to Greenwich's location.
Grammar
How to Use “longitude” in a Sentence
The longitude of [PLACE] is [NUMBER] degrees [EAST/WEST].[PLACE] is located at [NUMBER]° longitude.to find/calculate/determine the longitudeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “longitude” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The navigator will longitute the ship's position using the stars.
- We need to longitudinally fix our coordinates.
American English
- The system automatically longitudinates the signal.
- We're longitudinal mapping the region.
adverb
British English
- The plates are arranged longitudinally.
- The ship is positioned longitudinally along the meridian.
American English
- The cells were sliced longitudinally for analysis.
- The fault line runs longitudinally through the state.
adjective
British English
- The longitudinal study spanned thirty years.
- Make a longitudinal cut along the grain.
American English
- The longitudinal data shows a clear trend.
- Check the longitudinal support beams.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in logistics, shipping, and supply chain management for tracking and routing.
Academic
Essential in geography, earth sciences, astronomy, cartography, and history of navigation.
Everyday
Used when discussing travel, map reading, or using GPS devices.
Technical
Critical for navigation systems (GPS, GIS), surveying, and precise scientific measurements.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “longitude”
- Using 'longitudes' as a plural count noun (prefer 'lines of longitude').
- Pronouncing the 'g' as soft /dʒ/ in British English (it's /g/).
- Confusing with 'latitude' or forgetting to specify east/west.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Prime Meridian is the line of 0° longitude, the starting point for measuring distance both east and west around the Earth. It passes through Greenwich, London.
Latitude measures distance north or south of the Equator (horizontal lines). Longitude measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (vertical lines). Together they form a global grid.
Longitude ranges from 0° to 180° East and 0° to 180° West (or +180° and -180°). 180° East and 180° West are the same line, the International Date Line.
It required knowing the precise time difference between a location and a known point (like Greenwich). Before accurate marine chronometers were invented in the 18th century, sailors could not reliably calculate their east-west position at sea.
The angular distance of a point east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees along the equator.
Longitude is usually formal, academic, technical, geographic in register.
Longitude: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒŋɡɪtjuːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɑːndʒɪtuːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A ship out of longitude (archaic, meaning lost or off-course).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'LONG-itude' - it's the LONG lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole.
Conceptual Metaphor
EARTH IS A GRID; LOCATION IS A SET OF COORDINATES.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of specifying longitude?