azimuth

[/ˈæzɪməθ/]
nounmasculinepl: azimuths
azimute
1. The horizontal angle or direction of a celestial body, measured clockwise from north
The astronomer calculated the azimuth of the star to be 45 degrees.
O astrônomo calculou o azimute da estrela em 45 graus.
2. In navigation and surveying, the compass bearing or direction angle measured from a reference direction (usually north) in a clockwise manner
The ship's course was set to an azimuth of 270 degrees, heading due west.
O curso do navio foi definido para um azimute de 270 graus, rumo ao oeste.
3. The horizontal component of a vector or direction in a coordinate system
In radar systems, the azimuth indicates the target's lateral position.
Em sistemas de radar, o azimute indica a posição lateral do alvo.
Azimuth is a technical term primarily used in specialized fields such as astronomy, navigation, surveying, aviation, and military operations. It comes from Arabic 'as-sumut' (the paths) and is used identically in both English and Portuguese-speaking contexts. Understanding azimuth is fundamental for anyone involved in navigation, whether maritime, aerial, or celestial observation.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
bearingcompass bearinghorizontal angledirection

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
azimute
Standard term used in astronomy, navigation, and surveying contexts
Portugal
azimute
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; technical term widely understood
Military/Aviation
azimute
Essential terminology in military navigation and flight operations

Related Words

altitudeelevationbearingcompassnavigationcelestialsurveyingcoordinate

Related Idioms & Phrases

off azimuth - deviating from the intended direction or course
on azimuth - maintaining the correct direction or bearing
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