Illustration of quadrant
- quadrant 2
quadrant
noun
quad·rant ˈkwä-drənt 
1
a
: an instrument for measuring altitudes consisting commonly of a graduated arc of 90 degrees with an index or vernier and usually having a plumb line or spirit level for fixing the vertical or horizontal direction
b
: a device or mechanical part shaped like or suggestive of the quadrant of a circle
2
a
: an arc of 90 degrees that is one quarter of a circle
b
: the area bounded by a quadrant and two radii
3
a
: any of the four parts into which a plane is divided by rectangular coordinate axes lying in that plane
b
: any of the four quarters into which something is divided by two real or imaginary lines that intersect each other at right angles
quadrantal
kwä-ˈdran-tᵊl
adjective 
Did you know?
This word is used for a traditional instrument, used to make calculations of altitude and traditionally employed by sailors to navigate, which has a piece shaped like a quarter of a circle. A quadrant shower is a shower that fits snugly into a bathroom corner and displays a curved front, making a quadrant shape on the floor. But perhaps quadrant is used most often today to name a particular quarter of a city.
Example Sentences
Draw two intersecting lines that divide the page into four quadrants. The town is located in the northwest quadrant of the state.
Recent Examples on the Web After over an hour of discussion among City Council members and a vote to postpone their decision until November, Reyna will now fill the board seat representing the southeast quadrant of SAWS’ service area. 
Elena Bruess, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Oct. 2021 The Utah Legislature formed the port authority in 2018 to harness the favorable economics of a new and expanding airport, the new state prison’s infrastructure and the Union Pacific rail hub in Salt Lake City’s northwest quadrant. Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 Vehicles in the upper-right quadrant excel at both accepting high-power electricity and quickly adding miles. Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2022 Score an oval into each quadrant, leaving about a half-inch border; be careful not to cut the pastry all the way through. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 10 Aug. 2022 Then a text came back from someone pointing out that there was one more quadrant of games still to be announced in Greenville. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 17 Mar. 2022 Others urged the board to develop a thoughtful master plan instead of letting developers and private landowners determine the northwest quadrant’s future. Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 May 2022 The appendix is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 27 July 2022 The Albion-Webster project is slated for the northeast quadrant of Strongsville. Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 5 July 2022 See More
Elena Bruess, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Oct. 2021 The Utah Legislature formed the port authority in 2018 to harness the favorable economics of a new and expanding airport, the new state prison’s infrastructure and the Union Pacific rail hub in Salt Lake City’s northwest quadrant. Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 Vehicles in the upper-right quadrant excel at both accepting high-power electricity and quickly adding miles. Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2022 Score an oval into each quadrant, leaving about a half-inch border; be careful not to cut the pastry all the way through. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 10 Aug. 2022 Then a text came back from someone pointing out that there was one more quadrant of games still to be announced in Greenville. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 17 Mar. 2022 Others urged the board to develop a thoughtful master plan instead of letting developers and private landowners determine the northwest quadrant’s future. Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 May 2022 The appendix is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 27 July 2022 The Albion-Webster project is slated for the northeast quadrant of Strongsville. Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 5 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin quadrant-, quadrans fourth part; akin to Latin quattuor four — more at four
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
quadrant
noun
quad·rant
ˈkwä-drənt
1
: one-fourth of a circle
2
: any of the four parts into which something is divided by two imaginary or real lines that intersect each other at right angles
Medical Definition
quadrant
noun
quad·rant ˈkwäd-rənt
1
: an arc of 90° that is one quarter of a circle
2
: any of the four more or less equivalent segments into which an anatomic structure may be divided by vertical and horizontal partitioning through its midpoint
pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen