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
a
: scope, range
b
: the range of exposures within which a film or plate will produce a negative or positive of satisfactory quality
4
archaic : extent or distance from side to side : width
latitudinal
ˌla-tə-ˈtüd-nəl
adjective -ˈtyüd-;
-ˈtü-də-nəl
-ˈtyü-
latitudinally adverb
Synonyms
- leeway
- slack
- space
- wiggle room
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Under provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act, passed last year, Evers has wide latitude in how the state's COVID-19 relief money is spent. 
Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2022 Under Russian law, the 31-year-old Griner faces up to 10 years in prison, but judges have considerable latitude on sentencing. Jim Heintz, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Aug. 2022 Under Russian law, the 31-year-old Griner faces up to 10 years in prison, but judges have considerable latitude on sentencing. CBS News, 4 Aug. 2022 Once viewed as a back-office role relegated to dealing with menial people matters, HR executives are now strategy-driving business leaders, and have wide latitude in all areas of a company—from the board to employees, and even external stakeholders. Amber Burton, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2022 Presidents have more latitude to act in foreign affairs than on domestic matters, where they are more constrained by Congress and the courts. Eli Stokolsstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2022 Imagine keeping track of multiple tropical systems with latitude and longitude numbers. Mallory Nicholls, Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2022 Diane has the exact longitude and latitude of where her husband’s coffin entered the ocean. Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2022 That all of these features float alongside a domed skeleton of latitude and longitude lines and still make room for a flying tourbillon in a circular aperture at 6 o’clock is a testament to the watchmaker’s twin mastery of art and mechanics. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2022 See More
Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2022 Under Russian law, the 31-year-old Griner faces up to 10 years in prison, but judges have considerable latitude on sentencing. Jim Heintz, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Aug. 2022 Under Russian law, the 31-year-old Griner faces up to 10 years in prison, but judges have considerable latitude on sentencing. CBS News, 4 Aug. 2022 Once viewed as a back-office role relegated to dealing with menial people matters, HR executives are now strategy-driving business leaders, and have wide latitude in all areas of a company—from the board to employees, and even external stakeholders. Amber Burton, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2022 Presidents have more latitude to act in foreign affairs than on domestic matters, where they are more constrained by Congress and the courts. Eli Stokolsstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2022 Imagine keeping track of multiple tropical systems with latitude and longitude numbers. Mallory Nicholls, Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2022 Diane has the exact longitude and latitude of where her husband’s coffin entered the ocean. Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2022 That all of these features float alongside a domed skeleton of latitude and longitude lines and still make room for a flying tourbillon in a circular aperture at 6 o’clock is a testament to the watchmaker’s twin mastery of art and mechanics. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin latitudin-, latitudo, from latus wide; akin to Old Church Slavonic postĭlati to spread
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4
Kids Definition
latitude
noun
lat·i·tude ˈla-tə-ˌtüd
-ˌtyüd
1
: the distance north or south of the equator measured in degrees
2
: a region marked by its distance north or south of the equator
cold latitudes
3
: freedom to act or speak as desired
Students weren't given much latitude in deciding what to study.
latitude
noun
1
as in slack
an allowable margin of freedom or variation the regulations regarding the pasteurization of dairy products don't allow for much latitude Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- slack
- leeway
- space
- wiggle room
- license
- rein
- licence
- swing
2
as in freedom
the right to act or move freely the new laws gave the police more latitude in dealing with suspected criminals Synonyms & Similar Words
- freedom
- authorization
- authority
- control
- license
- power
- free hand
- mandate
- licence
- run
- dominion
- mastery
- space
- sway
- command
- range
- room
- grip
- clutch
- carte blanche
- hold
- blank check