Illustration of latitude
- hemisphere marked with parallels of latitude
latitude
noun
lat·i·tude
ˈla-tə-ˌtüd 
-ˌtyüd
1
: angular distance from some specified circle or plane of reference: such as
a
: angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measured through 90 degrees
an island located at 40 degrees north latitude
b
: a region or locality as marked by its latitude
c
: angular distance of a celestial body from the ecliptic
2
: freedom of action or choice
students are allowed considerable latitude in choosing courses
3
4
archaic
: extent or distance from side to side : width
latitudinally
adverb
Examples of latitude in a Sentence
a map of the world showing lines of latitude and longitude
located at a latitude of 40 degrees north
Madrid and New York City are on nearly the same latitude.
islands located at different latitudes
We weren't given much latitude in deciding how to do the job.
The judge has wide latitude to reject evidence for the trial.
Recent Examples on the Web
That gave us certain latitude and a great sandbox to play in, but there are certain opportunities and limitations.
—
Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Many California cities have taken advantage of the new latitude.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Presidents have wide latitude to deploy the Guard, and protection of federal property is an obvious justification in this season of violent hostility to ICE.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
As if this weren’t enough reason to look up, Comet SWAN will make its own cameo further east, and if weather permits, the northern lights could ripple across high-latitude skies, painting them with ribbons of green and pink.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for latitude
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Many California cities have taken advantage of the new latitude.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Presidents have wide latitude to deploy the Guard, and protection of federal property is an obvious justification in this season of violent hostility to ICE.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
As if this weren’t enough reason to look up, Comet SWAN will make its own cameo further east, and if weather permits, the northern lights could ripple across high-latitude skies, painting them with ribbons of green and pink.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for latitude
Cite this Entry
“Latitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latitude. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
latitude
noun
lat·i·tude
ˈlat-ə-ˌt(y)üd
1
a
: distance north or south from the equator measured in degrees
b
: a region or locality as marked by its latitude
2
: freedom from narrow restrictions
were allowed latitude in picking report topics
latitudinally
adverb
-ē
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