coordinate

American  

[koh-awr-dn-it, -dn-eyt, koh-awr-dn-eyt] / 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

Etymology

Origin of coordinate

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

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

But he said he assumed that governments would coordinate to slow down the breakneck pace of development if it were ever necessary.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

In turn, White House officials say they have been frustrated by mixed messages from AI executives, including the latest calls to coordinate a slowdown in model development with the government.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

They help coordinate the formation of organs including the heart, brain, and skeleton.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026

All eyes will also be on “Hacks” stars Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs, who are sure to coordinate their outfits again.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

If a hideaway had to be abandoned, as happened all the time, who would coordinate the move to another address?

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

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

Active Cornwall coordinates the walks in partnership with Ramblers UK and other local partners across the county with the aim of helping people of all ages stay healthy and connected.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

The Danuri team in turn sent their coordinates to NASA's LRO team to help refine their follow-up imaging sequence.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

The continent had drifted so far from its official coordinates by 2017 that the government moved the entire nation almost 6 feet on paper to reconcile maps with reality.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

During the launch phase of the mission, a computer in the Atlas rocket, programmed with the launch coordinates, communicated with Mission Control.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

One thing they didn’t mention: a coordinated slowdown could also be financially beneficial for them all.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

They’ve repeatedly urged coordinated industrywide slowdowns in development but never acted upon them.

From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026

Artificial intelligence stocks tumbled on Monday after American leaders of the AI revolution called for a coordinated slowdown in building more powerful AI systems.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

On Saturday, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei advocated for a coordinated slowdown of AI development to better understand the risks arising from the technology's capabilities.

From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026

He had a knack for fielding and batting, but although he was fast, he wasn’t a particularly coordinated runner on the bases.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

"Our immediate priority is the safety and well-being of our learners, teachers and school personnel," the education ministry said, adding it was coordinating with authorities to verify the incident and provide necessary support.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

“The big labs appear to know they are at peak power and want to lock it down by coordinating to prevent competition from open source and startups.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

Bass argued that while the small organization, focused on coordinating L.A.’s climate solutions, is important, the office had not completed one of its main goals: creating a climate action plan.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

"A leaner organization will mean clearer ownership, faster decisions, and more time spent building rather than coordinating," the message said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

Aileen was the person in charge of coordinating all the travel arrangements for the tour.

From "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar

Related Words

• agree
• harmonize
• integrate
• organize
• regulate