gps
Definition
Noun 1. Global Positioning System: A satellite-based radio navigation system that provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It functions independently of telephonic or internet reception.
Usage
The term "GPS" is used to refer to the system itself or the technology that enables precise location tracking. - The ship's captain relied on the GPS for navigation through the fog. - Most smartphones have a built-in GPS receiver for mapping applications. - We got lost because the car's GPS lost its signal in the mountains.
Advanced Usage
- GPS Tracking: The use of GPS technology to monitor and record the location of a person, vehicle, or asset.
- The company uses GPS tracking for its fleet of delivery trucks.
- GPS Coordinates: The specific latitude and longitude numbers provided by the system to denote an exact location.
- He sent me the GPS coordinates for the meeting point.
Variants and Related Words
- GPS Receiver / GPS Unit (n): The physical device that receives signals from GPS satellites to calculate position.
- The hiker carried a handheld GPS receiver.
- Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (n): The broader category of global satellite navigation systems, which includes GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), and BeiDou (China).
Synonyms
- Satellite Navigation System
- Satnav (informal abbreviation)
Related Phrases
- Turn on the GPS: To activate the GPS function on a device.
- Please turn on the GPS so we can find the nearest gas station.
- GPS signal: The radio signal transmitted from a satellite to a receiver.
- The canyon walls blocked the GPS signal.
Noun
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a navigational system involving satellites and computers that can determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by computing the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver
