coordinate

American  

[koh-awr-dn-it, -dn-ayt, koh-awr-dn-ayt] / koʊˈɔr dn ɪt, -dnˌeɪt, koʊˈɔr dnˌeɪt /

Or co-ordinate

adjective

1. 

   of the same order or degree; equal in rank or importance.

2. involving the proper relationship or harmonious interaction among functions or parts.

3. Mathematics. using or pertaining to systems of coordinates.

4. Grammar. of the same rank in grammatical construction, as Jack and Jill in the phrase Jack and Jill, or got up and shook hands in the sentence He got up and shook hands.

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noun

1. a person or thing of equal rank or importance; an equal.

2. Mathematics. any of the magnitudes that serve to define the position of a point, line, or the like, by reference to a fixed figure, system of lines, etc.

3. coordinates, articles of clothing, furniture, or the like, harmonizing in color, material, or style, designed to be worn or used together.

verb (used with object)

• coordinates,
  present (3rd person singular)
• coordinated,
  past participle,  past
• coordinating
  present participle

1. to place or class in the same order, rank, division, etc.

2. to place or arrange in proper order or position.

   Synonyms:

   correlate, order

3. to combine in harmonious relation or action.

verb (used without object)

• coordinates,
  present (3rd person singular)
• coordinated,
  past participle,  past
• coordinating
  present participle

1. to become coordinate.

2. to assume proper order or relation.

3. to act in harmonious combination.

coordinate British  

verb

1. (tr) to organize or integrate (diverse elements) in a harmonious operation

2. to place (things) in the same class or order, or (of things) to be placed in the same class or order

3. (intr) to work together, esp harmoniously

4. (intr) to take or be in the form of a harmonious order

5. chem to form or cause to form a coordinate bond

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noun

1. maths any of a set of numbers that defines the location of a point in space See Cartesian coordinates polar coordinates

2. a person or thing equal in rank, type, etc

adjective

1. of, concerned with, or involving coordination

2. of the same rank, type, etc

3. of or involving the use of coordinates

   coordinate geometry

coordinate Scientific  

/ kō-ôr′dn-ĭt /

1. One of a set of numbers that determines the position of a point. Only one coordinate is needed if the point is on a line, two if the point is in a plane, and three if it is in space.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• co-ordinateness
  noun
• coordinateness
  noun
• coordinator
  noun
• uncoordinateness
  noun
• intercoordinate
  verb
• miscoordinate
  verb
• co-ordinative
  adjective
• coordinative
  adjective
• intercoordinate
  adjective
• noncoordinating
  adjective
• uncoordinate
  adjective
• uncoordinated
  adjective
• co-ordinately
  adverb
• coordinately
  adverb
• uncoordinately
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• coordinating
  present
• coordinated
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• coordinate
  simple
• coordinates
  simple
• have coordinated
  perfect
• has coordinated
  perfect
• am coordinating
  progressive
• are coordinating
  progressive
• is coordinating
  progressive
• have been coordinating
  perfect progressive
• has been coordinating
  perfect progressive

Past

• coordinated
  simple
• had coordinated
  perfect
• was coordinating
  progressive
• were coordinating
  progressive
• had been coordinating
  perfect progressive

Future

• will coordinate
  simple
• will have coordinated
  perfect
• will be coordinating
  progressive
• will have been coordinating
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of coordinate

First recorded in 1635–45; co- + (sub)ordinate

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Explanation

The word coordinate is all about getting things in order. Are your ducks in a row? Well, then you know what it means to coordinate something. And if you know exactly where to drop the bomb, then you know what the coordinates are. Coordinate is one of those words that can mean very different things but is rarely misunderstood in context. It’s a great way to describe the work of organizing, planning, and strategizing. When synchronizing the needs of two distinct groups, for instance, it is necessary to coordinate priorities and schedules. And as you speed down the highway, listening to the serene voice on your GPS announce the coordinates of your destination, chances are you don’t think she’s organizing resources.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

coordinate coordinates coordinated coordinating

Much of the outrage in Ukraine this week has been over restrictions to the Starshield satellite communications system that its military relies upon to detect incoming Russian attacks and to coordinate its frontline response.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

Arts for LA CEO Gustavo Herrera presented Mosaic LA, a community-led initiative intended to coordinate neighborhood cultural programming and sustain investment beyond 2028.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

This region, called the ventromedial hypothalamus, helps coordinate metabolism, energy balance, and other bodily functions.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

Failing that, the air-defense centers coordinate responses up the echelon both geographically and kinetically, like a zone defense in football.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026

Secretary Stanton attempted to coordinate the efforts of the local police force, detectives, and the army.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

He saw a gaping hole where the walls had collapsed and realized he had accidentally sent the coordinates of his own basement location.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Andy Fryers who coordinates Abergavenny Food Festival said the number and credibility of the scams it had seen had made things "much more difficult" for them this year.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

In his most draconian move yet, the Pentagon polygraphed some 50 high-ranking military officers and civilian officials on the Joint Staff, which coordinates operations, policy and war plans with combatant commanders worldwide.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026

After imaging the site, the Danuri mission provided the crater coordinates to NASA's LRO team, helping researchers improve the targeting of their own observations.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026

Just after 6:48 a.m., when the 911 call first came in, the dispatcher called out a 10-50 PI, a personal injury accident, and the coordinates.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Investors cited concerns about Indonesian market dysfunction, suspected coordinated trading and a lack of meaningful enforcement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

"That means working together in a coordinated way in terms of intelligence gathering, intelligence sharing and interdiction," he added.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

"The reality is that Northern Ireland has yet to develop the coordinated and long-term approach needed to prepare for the scale of demographic change that lies ahead."

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

"Our findings suggest that the order in which nutrients reach the gut can engage a coordinated hormone-nerve response that changes how quickly the stomach delivers glucose to the intestine," says Yabe.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

My platoon responded with a coordinated “Yes, Sergeant,” and began to join the flood headed toward the door.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

Immune cells play a central role in coordinating the body's response to injury.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026

The office said the delay was the result of insufficient funding and challenges with coordinating between the many agencies responsible for the county’s restraining order system.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

The Tenants' Union, which has been coordinating the protests, has called for demonstrations on Saturday in more than 50 cities.

From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026

Last year, Optimum sued the creditors, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by illegally coordinating to fix debt prices and blocking it from doing the debt financing transactions it wanted to do.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Musicians must also respond immediately to their own sound through acute music listening ability, often coordinating with other musicians around them.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

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Related Words

• agree
• harmonize
• integrate
• organize
• regulate

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