azimuth

noun

az·​i·​muth ˈaz-məth 

ˈa-zə-

1

: an arc of the horizon measured between a fixed point (such as true north) and the vertical circle passing through the center of an object usually in astronomy and navigation clockwise from the north point through 360 degrees

2

: horizontal direction expressed as the angular distance between the direction of a fixed point (such as the observer's heading) and the direction of the object

azimuthal

ˌa-zə-ˈmə-thəl 

adjective

azimuthally

ˌa-zə-ˈmə-thə-lē 

adverb

Illustration of azimuth

• 1 horizon
• 2 zenith
• 3 star
• 4 meridian
• 5 vertical circle
• 6 azimuth
• 7 observer

Examples of azimuth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What is the azimuth of the sun during the total solar eclipse in Indianapolis? —Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Apr. 2024

The azimuth of the sun will be an angle of 215 degrees, according to eclipse2024.org. —Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Apr. 2024

Perun bounded between the panel and the radio, shouting himself hoarse, calculating azimuths, and correcting the aim of his stormers, snipers, and machine gunners. —Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

The drill holes were mainly placed in step-out rows subparallel to the 2017-2018 drilling, oriented with azimuths 230 - 260, generally inclined at minus 65 degrees from horizontal. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin azimut, from Arabic al-sumūt the azimuth, plural of al-samt the way

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

azimuth

noun

az·​i·​muth ˈaz-(ə-)məth 

: horizontal direction of an object from a fixed point expressed as an angle