polar coordinate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Technical/Very LowTechnical/Specialist
Quick answer
What does “polar coordinate” mean?
A pair of values (r, θ) used to locate a point on a plane, where r is the distance from a reference point (the pole) and θ is the angle from a reference direction.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A pair of values (r, θ) used to locate a point on a plane, where r is the distance from a reference point (the pole) and θ is the angle from a reference direction.
A system of coordinates in which each point in a plane is determined by its distance from a fixed point and its angle from a fixed direction. It can be extended to three dimensions with cylindrical or spherical coordinates.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences in the term itself. Usage conventions in notation (e.g., angle units) may follow regional academic traditions.
Connotations
Purely technical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in everyday language for both, confined to technical and educational contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “polar coordinate” in a Sentence
The point is given in polar coordinates (r, θ).We converted the Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates.Plot the function using polar coordinates.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “polar coordinate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [The verb 'coordinate' is not used with 'polar' in this technical sense.]
American English
- [The verb 'coordinate' is not used with 'polar' in this technical sense.]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable. No adverbial form for this noun phrase.]
American English
- [Not applicable. No adverbial form for this noun phrase.]
adjective
British English
- The polar coordinate system is taught in A-Level maths.
American English
- We need a polar coordinate grid for this graph.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Standard term in mathematics, physics, and engineering curricula and research.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in mathematics, navigation, computer graphics, and robotics for describing positions and paths.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “polar coordinate”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “polar coordinate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “polar coordinate”
- Saying 'polar coordination'.
- Incorrect word order: 'coordinate polar'.
- Mispronouncing 'coordinate' with stress on the first syllable when used as a noun (correct noun stress: co-OR-din-ate).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They simplify equations and calculations involving curves with circular or rotational symmetry, like circles and spirals.
Yes, in navigation (bearing and distance), radar screens, antenna positioning, and computer graphics for rotations.
The pole is the fixed central reference point, analogous to the origin (0,0) in the Cartesian system.
Yes, a negative radial coordinate 'r' is interpreted as plotting the point in the direction opposite to the given angle θ.
A pair of values (r, θ) used to locate a point on a plane, where r is the distance from a reference point (the pole) and θ is the angle from a reference direction.
Polar coordinate is usually technical/specialist in register.
Polar coordinate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpəʊlə kəʊˈɔːdɪnət/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpoʊlɚ koʊˈɔːrdənət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **polar** bear standing at the North **Pole**. It knows where it is by how far it is from the pole (distance r) and what direction it's facing (angle θ).
Conceptual Metaphor
LOCATION IS DISTANCE AND DIRECTION (A point is conceptualized as a journey: go this far in that direction).
Practice
Quiz
What does the 'θ' represent in a polar coordinate (r, θ)?