Cartesian coordinate

noun

1
: either of two coordinates (see coordinate entry 3 sense 1) that locate a point on a plane and measure its distance from either of two intersecting straight-line axes along a line parallel to the other axis
2
: any of three coordinates that locate a point in space and measure its distance from any of three intersecting coordinate planes measured parallel to that one of three straight-line axes that is the intersection of the other two planes

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Cartesian coordinate was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near Cartesian coordinate

Cite this Entry

“Cartesian coordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cartesian%20coordinate. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!