Definition

Proper noun 1. Arizona: A state in the southwestern region of the United States of America, known for its desert climate and the Grand Canyon. * The abbreviation for the state of Arizona is "AZ". * They drove from California to AZ.

Noun (Abbreviation) 1. Azimuth: In astronomy, navigation, and surveying, the horizontal angular distance from a reference direction, usually true north, to the point where a vertical circle through a celestial body or object intersects the horizon. * The telescope was adjusted to the correct az before observing the star. * The navigator calculated the az of the lighthouse.

Usage Notes

• When used as the state abbreviation ("AZ"), it is always capitalized.
• When used as the abbreviation for "azimuth" ("az"), it is typically written in lowercase in technical contexts, but may be capitalized at the start of a sentence.

Examples

• As "Arizona":
  • Phoenix is the capital of AZ.
  • We are moving to AZ next month.
• As "azimuth":
  • The map listed the az of the mountain peak.
  • Set the compass to an az of 270 degrees for west.

Advanced Usage

• In Coordinates: Often paired with "alt" (altitude) or "el" (elevation) to give a full celestial or directional coordinate (alt-az or az-el coordinates).
  • The object's position was alt 45°, az 120°.

Variants and Related Words

• Arizona (n): The full name of the U.S. state.
• Azimuth (n): The full term for the angular measurement.

Synonyms

• For "Arizona": The Grand Canyon State (official nickname).
• For "azimuth": Bearing (in navigation, though bearing is often measured relative to magnetic north).

Related Terms

• Altitude (alt): The angular height of an object above the horizon, often used with azimuth.
• Bearing: A closely related term in navigation for direction.

Noun

1. a state in southwestern United States; site of the Grand Canyon
2. the azimuth of a celestial body is the angle between the vertical plane containing it and the plane of the meridian