quadrant

noun

quad·​rant ˈkwä-drənt 

1

a

: an instrument for measuring altitudes consisting commonly of a graduated arc of 90 degrees with an index or vernier and usually having a plumb line or spirit level for fixing the vertical or horizontal direction

b

: a device or mechanical part shaped like or suggestive of the quadrant of a circle

2

a

: an arc of 90 degrees that is one quarter of a circle

b

: the area bounded by a quadrant and two radii

3

a

: any of the four parts into which a plane is divided by rectangular coordinate axes lying in that plane

b

: any of the four quarters into which something is divided by two real or imaginary lines that intersect each other at right angles

quadrantal

kwä-ˈdran-tᵊl 

adjective

Illustration of quadrant

• quadrant 2

Did you know?

This word is used for a traditional instrument, used to make calculations of altitude and traditionally employed by sailors to navigate, which has a piece shaped like a quarter of a circle. A quadrant shower is a shower that fits snugly into a bathroom corner and displays a curved front, making a quadrant shape on the floor. But perhaps quadrant is used most often today to name a particular quarter of a city.

Examples of quadrant in a Sentence

Draw two intersecting lines that divide the page into four quadrants.

The town is located in the northwest quadrant of the state.

Recent Examples on the Web

Auburn was a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament last year and sent to Spokane, Wash., where SDSU was a 5 seed in the same quadrant of the bracket. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025

In the district races, unofficial Cook County Clerk election results show newcomer Kimani Levy appeared to have won the trustee seat in District 1, the northwest quadrant of Skokie, and incumbent Alison Pure Slovin appeared to have been elected in District 2, the northeast quadrant. —Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025

With a more athletic stance, Torkelson appeared more adjustable at the plate and drove pitches in multiple quadrants of the strike zone for power. —Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

The ability to hit corners and move the baseball throughout different quadrants was paramount for success. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin quadrant-, quadrans fourth part; akin to Latin quattuor four — more at four

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

quadrant

noun

quad·​rant ˈkwäd-rənt 

1

: an arc of 90° : one quarter of a circle

2

: any of the four quarters into which something is divided by two real or imaginary lines that intersect each other at right angles

Medical Definition

quadrant

noun

quad·​rant ˈkwäd-rənt 

1

: an arc of 90° that is one quarter of a circle

2

: any of the four more or less equivalent segments into which an anatomic structure may be divided by vertical and horizontal partitioning through its midpoint

pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen