latitude

A place's distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees.

• What is the city's latitude?
• Our latitude is forty degrees north.
• The map shows each island's latitude and longitude.

Common phrases: north latitude, south latitude, latitude and longitude

An imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator, or the area near such a line.

• The map shows lines of latitude.
• Winters are longer in northern latitudes.
• These birds spend winter in warmer latitudes.

Similar words: parallel

Common phrases: lines of latitude, northern latitude, tropical latitude

Freedom to choose how to act or do something, without strict limits.

• Her parents gave her considerable latitude.
• We have some latitude to change the schedule.
• How much latitude do managers have in setting prices?

How to use it: latitude to do something (Staff have latitude to choose their own working methods.); latitude in doing something (The school gives teachers latitude in planning lessons.)

Similar words: freedom, leeway, discretion, scope

Opposites: restriction

Common phrases: give someone latitude, considerable latitude, latitude in something