Definition

1. Noun:

   • A diagrammatic representation of an area: A "map" is a drawing or plan of the earth's surface or part of it, showing countries, cities, rivers, mountains, roads, etc.
   • A diagram showing the arrangement or structure of something: A "map" can also represent the spatial arrangement or components of any system or place, such as a building, a website, or a concept.
   • (Mathematics) A relation between sets: In mathematics, a "map" is a function associating each element of one set with an element of another set.

2. Verb:

   • To make a map of an area: To "map" means to represent an area geographically by creating a map.
   • To plan or arrange in detail: To "map" something is to plan its course or structure carefully.
   • To locate genes or features: In biology, to "map" is to determine the location of a gene on a chromosome or a feature on a structure.
   • To depict or show a quality: To "map" can mean to show or be a visible representation of something, such as an emotion on a face.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • We used a map to navigate the city.
  • The architect drew a map of the building's floor plan.
  • In this equation, the function acts as a map from the input set to the output set.

• Verb:

  • Cartographers map new territories.
  • She mapped out her career path for the next five years.
  • Scientists have successfully mapped the human genome.
  • The lines of worry were mapped on his forehead.

Advanced Usage

• "To put something on the map": To make a place or person famous or important.
  • The film festival really put our small town on the map.
• "To wipe something off the map": To destroy or eliminate something completely.
  • The hurricane nearly wiped the coastal village off the map.
• "Off the map": Remote, unknown, or insignificant.
  • They live in a cabin off the map, with no internet connection.

Variants and Related Words

• Mapper (n): A person or thing that creates maps.
  • He works as a data mapper for a tech company.
• Mapping (n): The process of making a map or the resulting representation.
  • The mapping of the ocean floor revealed new trenches.
• Roadmap (n): A detailed plan to achieve a goal. (Note: This is a compound word listed separately as per instruction).
  • The company published a roadmap for its new software releases.

Synonyms

• Noun: Chart, plan, diagram, layout.
• Verb: Chart, plot, plan, outline, delineate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Map out: To plan something in detail.
  • We need to map out every step of the project before we begin.
• Map onto: To match or correspond to something.
  • The theoretical model doesn't perfectly map onto the real-world situation.

Related Idioms

• All over the map: Disorganized, inconsistent, or covering a wide range.
  • His opinions on the topic are all over the map.
• A map is not the territory: A reminder that a representation of something is not the thing itself.
  • Remember, the business plan is just a guide—a map is not the territory.

Noun

1. (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)
2. a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)

Verb

1. to establish a mapping (of mathematical elements or sets)
2. depict as if on a map
   • sorrow was mapped on the mother's face
3. plan, delineate, or arrange in detail
   • map one's future
4. locate within a specific region of a chromosome in relation to known DNA or gene sequences
   • map the genes
5. explore or survey for the purpose of making a map
   • We haven't even begun to map the many galaxies that we know exist
6. make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
   • map the surface of Venus