Definition

1. Noun:
   • An imaginary great circle on the Earth's surface: A "line of longitude" is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole, forming a great circle around the Earth.
   • A meridian: It is another term for a meridian, used to measure angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.

Usage

• Primary Use: Used in geography, cartography, and navigation to specify the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface.
• Context: Typically discussed in relation to the equator and lines of latitude.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The Prime Meridian, which passes through Greenwich, England, is the most famous line of longitude.
  • Navigators used lines of longitude to determine their position at sea.
  • Each line of longitude connects the two poles and is half of a great circle.

Advanced Usage

• "the line of longitude 15° East": A specific meridian located 15 degrees east of the Prime Meridian.
  • The city is located on the line of longitude 15° East.

Variants and Related Words

• Meridian (n): A synonym for a line of longitude.
  • The meridian divides the eastern and western hemispheres.
• Longitude (n): The angular distance measured east or west from the Prime Meridian along a line of longitude.
  • The longitude of the island is 70 degrees West.

Synonyms

• Meridian: An imaginary circle on the Earth's surface passing through both poles.
• Longitudinal line: Another term for a line of longitude.

Related Phrases

• Line of latitude: An imaginary line parallel to the equator, used to measure north-south position (contrasts with line of longitude).

Noun

1. an imaginary great circle on the surface of the earth passing through the north and south poles at right angles to the equator
   • all points on the same meridian have the same longitude