1
a
: a representation usually on a flat surface of the whole or a part of an area
b
: a representation of the celestial sphere or a part of it
c
: a diagram or other visual representation that shows the relative position of the parts of something
Doctors use the images to construct a detailed three-dimensional map of the patient's brain … Discover
2
: something that represents with a clarity suggestive of a map
the Freudian map of the mind Harold Bloom
3
: the arrangement of genes on a chromosome

called also genetic map

4

map

2 of 3

verb

mapped; mapping

transitive verb

1
a
: to make a map of
map the surface of the moon
b
: to delineate as if on a map
sorrow was mapped on her face
c
: to make a survey of for or as if for the purpose of making a map
d
: to assign (something, such as a set or an element) in a mathematical or exact correspondence
map picture elements to video memory
2
: to plan in detail
often used with out
map out a program
3
: to locate (a gene) on a chromosome

intransitive verb

1
of a gene : to be located
2
: to be assigned in a relation or connection
the major problems confronting humankind … do not map well onto the traditional disciplines P. W. Porter
mapper noun

MAP

3 of 3

abbreviation

modified American plan
Phrases
all over the map
: marked by a high degree of variation
on the map
: in a position of prominence or fame
had put the fledgling university on the map Lon Tinkle

Examples of map in a Sentence

Noun a map of the country different maps of the world “Can you find where we are on the map?” “Sorry: I'm no good at reading maps.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
On the typical world map, the world’s largest island looks as big as all of Africa or the entire continental United States. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 10 Feb. 2025 Each mug comes with a map of a stadium of your choosing and the logo of the team. Christopher Murray, Fox News, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
The Joann store closures, mapped Kohl’s and Macy’s also are closing stores. Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025 The only city the agency mapped that saw a decrease in hazard severity zoning was Placerville in El Dorado County. Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for map 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin mappa, from Latin, napkin, towel

First Known Use

Noun

1527, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1586, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of map was in 1527

Dictionary Entries Near map

Cite this Entry

“Map.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/map. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

1
: a drawing or picture showing selected features of an area (as the surface of the earth or the moon or a section of the brain) and usually drawn to a given scale
2
: a drawing or picture of the sky showing the position of stars and planets

map

2 of 2 verb
mapped; mapping
1
: to make a map of
map the city
2
: to chart the course of : plan in detail
often used with out
map out a campaign
mapper noun
Etymology

Noun

from Latin mappa "map," from earlier mappa "napkin, towel" — related to apron, napkin

Medical Definition

: the arrangement of genes on a chromosome

called also genetic map

map

2 of 2 verb
mapped; mapping

transitive verb

: to locate (a gene) on a chromosome
mutants which have been genetically mapped

intransitive verb

of a gene : to be located
a repressor maps near the corresponding structural gene

Biographical Definition

Walter circa 1140–circa 1209 English writer

More from Merriam-Webster on map

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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