map

1 of 3

noun

ˈmap 

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

: function sense 5a

maplike

ˈmap-ˌlīk 

adjective

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

mappable

ˈma-pə-bəl 

adjective

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

Synonyms

Noun

• chart

Verb

• arrange
• blueprint
• budget
• calculate
• chart
• choreograph
• design
• frame
• lay out
• organize
• plan
• prepare
• project
• scheme (out)
• shape
• strategize (about)

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.”

“How do I get to the station?” “Here, let me draw you a map.”

a map of the brain

Verb

The coastline was mapped by early explorers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Course maintenance staff members program the mowers’ maps, much like consumers do with those robot vacuums for their homes. —Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Shortly after, the national Democratic law firm Elias Group filed a lawsuit challenging Wisconsin's congressional maps and asked the Supreme Court to take it up immediately. —Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025

Verb

From college career centers to executive coaching sessions, professionals have been encouraged to map a step-by-step blueprint for their ascent. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

The University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab has been mapping seaweed coverage across different regions of the Atlantic Basin each month since 2011. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing map

• contour map
• genetic map
• map onto
• map out
• put (something or someone) on the map
• relief map
• road map
• site map
• street map
• weather map
• wipe (someone or something) off the map

Rhymes for map

• app
• cap
• chap
• clap
• crap
• flap
• frap
• gap
• hap
• lap
• nap
• nappe

Kids Definition

map

1 of 2 noun

ˈmap 

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

map

1 of 2 noun

ˈmap 

: 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

Map

biographical name

ˈmap 

Walter circa 1140–circa 1209 English writer