What does latitude mean?
Latitude originally describes a position on Earth by its angular distance north or south of the equator. Every place has a latitude, and lines of constant latitude appear on maps and globes alongside lines of longitude. The word also has a figurative meaning: freedom or permission to act, think, or choose in a particular way. In this sense, latitude suggests room for judgment and variation, often within a defined boundary. For example, a team may be given considerable latitude in how it completes a task, or a writer may have latitude to adapt a story. The geographic meaning is standard in geography, navigation, meteorology, and astronomy, while the figurative sense is common in formal English concerning personal, institutional, or creative freedom.
nounThe angular distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees. By extension, it means freedom or scope to act, think, or make choices without undue restriction.
- The angular distance of a place north or south of the equator.
- Freedom or scope to act, think, or make choices without undue restriction.
"The island lies at a latitude of about 48 degrees north."
"Wheat grows well at this latitude during the mild summer months."
"The committee was given considerable latitude to revise the proposal."
Used when referring to different north-south positions or separate areas of permitted scope.
"The map identifies the latitudes where frost is most likely to occur."
One word travels from the map to the meeting room: describing a line of latitude and the freedom to take a different route.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does latitude come from?
The word entered English in the late Middle English period from Latin lātitūdō, meaning "breadth" or "width." Latin lātitūdō was derived from lātus, meaning "broad" or "wide." Its geographic sense developed with the use of latitude and longitude in early astronomy and navigation, while the idea of freedom or scope follows the original sense of breadth.
Related word forms
How latitude is actually used
In its geographic sense, latitude is normally expressed in degrees north or south. In the figurative sense, it is formal and often appears in expressions such as "ample latitude" or "give someone latitude".
Easily confused with latitude
Latitude measures a position north or south of the equator, whereas altitude measures height above a reference level such as sea level.