rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryazimuthHorizontal direction
noun

azimuth

AZ-ih-muth/ˈæzɪməθ/

The angle of a direction measured horizontally from a reference direction, usually north.

The surveyor’s compass shows the boulder’s azimuth as a quarter-turn from north.

A directly overhead view of a real surveying compass shows the horizontal bearing of a nearby boulder as a precisely measured quarter-turn clockwise from north.
Etymology
aArabicthe
+zimuthArabicway, direction

Arabic “the ways” supplied an astronomical term for a star’s direction. In the selected sense, that direction is expressed as a horizontal angle.

In context

Audiopedia5:16
measuring horizontal angles only. He also described an instrument that measured both altitude and azimuth,
Theodolite

More examples

  • The chart gives the star’s azimuth and elevation.
  • She set the instrument to the required azimuth.
  • The antenna turned to a new azimuth.

Forms

azimuth · azimuths

Similar words

bearing
Bearing is a direction relative to a reference; azimuth expresses that direction as a horizontal angle.
elevation
Elevation measures an angle above the horizon; azimuth measures around the horizon.