Definition

1. Noun:
   • The direction in which a compass needle points: This is the magnetic north direction indicated by a compass, as opposed to true geographic north. It is the fundamental reference point for navigation using a magnetic compass.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The hiker set his course by following compass north.
  • The map indicated a 5-degree declination between true north and compass north.

Advanced Usage

• "to find/establish compass north": to determine the direction of magnetic north using a compass.
  • The first step in orienteering is to find compass north.

Variants and Related Words

• Magnetic north (n): A synonym for compass north; the direction towards the north magnetic pole.
  • The magnetic north pole shifts over time.
• True north (n): The direction along the earth's surface towards the geographic North Pole, which differs from compass north due to magnetic declination.
  • Surveyors must account for the difference between true north and magnetic north.

Synonyms

• Magnetic north: The direction of the Earth's magnetic field lines.
• Grid north: The direction northwards along the grid lines of a map (a related but distinct concept in cartography).

Related Phrases

• Declination (or magnetic declination) (n): The angle on the horizontal plane between magnetic north (compass north) and true north.
  • Before navigating, you must adjust for the local magnetic declination.

Noun

1. the direction in which a compass needle points