three coordinates defining the location of a point in three-dimensional space in terms of its polar coordinates (r, θ) in one plane, usually the (x, y) plane, and its perpendicular distance, z, measured from this plane
cylindrical coordinates in American English
plural noun
Math
a set of coordinates used to locate a point in space by its polar coordinates and its perpendicular distance to the polarplane
Word origin
[1930–35]This word is first recorded in the period 1930–35. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: acoustic phonetics, cloverleaf, kickback, old school tie, preset