easy
The equator is at zero degrees latitude.
What does Latitude mean?
Latitude measures north-south position from the equator; it can also mean freedom or room to choose.
Dictionary definition
Angular distance north or south of Earth’s equator, measured in degrees; a region identified by that position; or freedom and range to act, choose, or vary. In astronomy, it can also measure angular distance from a reference plane.
Example sentences
Latitude in a sentence
easy
Toronto lies at a higher latitude than Miami.
medium
These birds spend winter in warmer southern latitudes.
medium
The teacher gave us latitude to choose our own research topic.
hard
This photographic film has enough exposure latitude to record detail across a useful range of light.
hard
Astronomers can describe a body’s celestial latitude from a chosen reference plane.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Latitude
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does geographic latitude measure?
Latitude is measured from 0 degrees at the equator to 90 degrees north or south at the poles.
Practice 2
What does latitude mean in “The group had latitude to change the plan”?
The figurative sense of latitude is room or leeway to make decisions.
Practice 3
Which statement correctly relates latitude and longitude?
Latitude gives north-south position and longitude gives east-west position.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Latitude
Voice settings
Sounds like
lat · uh · tood · strongest beat: lat
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordLatitude.
Partnoun.
MeaningLatitude means Latitude measures north-south position from the equator; it can also mean freedom or room to choose.
ExampleExample: The equator is at zero degrees latitude.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- lat · uh · tood
- Strongest beat
- lat
- Ending
- tood
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on lat.
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Synonyms
Words like Latitude
Antonym review
Does Latitude have an opposite?
Latitude has no general direct opposite. Longitude is a complementary coordinate, not an opposite; restriction contrasts only with the freedom sense.
Synonym practice
Want to practice latitude synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The map showed the town's latitude north of the equator," then compare close word choices. Practice latitude synonyms.
Word family
Latitude word family
Base word
latitude
noun
latitudes
More than one latitude value, latitude-marked region, or kind of freedom.
adjective
latitudinal
Relating to latitude or arranged across different latitudes.
adverb
latitudinally
In a way that varies or extends by latitude.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Latitude
Hint for students
Look for degrees north or south, a latitude-marked region, or room to act, choose, or vary.
Common mix-up
Lines of latitude run east-west around Earth but measure position north or south. Longitude is the other coordinate, not latitude’s opposite.
Try it in class or at home
Students locate three places using latitude and longitude, then explain latitude’s direction in words. They finish by writing a sentence that uses latitude to mean freedom of choice.
Teacher prompt
Compare “45 degrees north latitude” with “The class had latitude to choose.” Ask students which clues signal a coordinate and which signal freedom.
Word Wheels
Practice Latitude with a Word Wheel
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Word Wheel
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Spin this researched Geography & Places wheel to compare maps, political areas, regions, cities, borders, and Earth coordinates in context.
Word Wheel
Practice with the School Words Wheel
This word is part of WordHive's researched School Words collection. Spin the complete wheel to review meanings, discuss classroom connections, and practice using school vocabulary in sentences.
Learning activities
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Synonym Search
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