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.

---

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

---

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.

---

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

That shows how couples who coordinate benefits could end up with more retirement wealth without actually saving more.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

Welsh forces recently formed Operation Galileo Cymru, working with farming unions and other agencies to share intelligence and coordinate action on hare coursing and associated rural crimes.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

Meanwhile, more dentists may identify signs of uncontrolled diabetes and coordinate care with the patient’s physician.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

Antigen presentation is a process in which immune cells display molecular material to help coordinate an immune response.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026

A big part of the reason for our ignorance, interestingly enough, is that traditionally there has been little effort to coordinate what’s happening on top of the Earth with what’s going on inside.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

The church often coordinates with parishioners on redevelopment but doesn’t control or direct those who own property downtown, Heller, the spokeswoman, said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

He manages her doctors’ appointments and medications, coordinates travel to and from hospital stays, and provides her with emotional support.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026

The post read “A new era of PC,” and then listed two numbers which appear to be the coordinates of the Taipei Music Center.

From Barron's ● May 29, 2026

As head of the intelligence community, Gabbard coordinates among multiple intelligence agencies and advises the president.

From BBC ● May 22, 2026

But remembering the fiasco of sixteen months before, keeping King’s in the dark made sense until exact coordinates had been obtained for all the atoms.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

In 1993, he coordinated businessman Richard Riordan’s successful campaign for Los Angeles mayor by targeting homeowners’ anxieties about unemployment, crime and other symptoms of urban decay.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

These technologies generate electricity, when planned and coordinated together, and they can relieve stress on the grid, reduce peak demand and respond to fluctuations in milliseconds through advanced battery controls and smart inverter technology.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

"Together, the evidence shows coordinated BBC conduct directed toward the United States, not 'mere accessibility'," his legal papers said.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

The nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists says it expects a coordinated campaign to target both the report and its individual authors.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

There were several experienced verbal stunt pilots in the Glass family, but this last little remark perhaps Zooey alone was coordinated well enough to bring in safely over a telephone.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger

Hours before Clayton's confirmation vote, Pulte boasted that a fifth round of dismissals would bring staffing reductions at the intelligence coordinating body to about 30 percent within weeks.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

Just over 40% of couples are actively coordinating their contributions to maximize any additional savings they could get from their matches, while 20% are leaving money on the table.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

Vevek Tandoan, Karmarkar’s father-in-law, said the company sent the family condolences midweek, and that it was coordinating with the Omani navy and Indian Consulate in Dubai to return Karmarkar’s remains.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

The researchers also identified one bipolar cell type, known as BC6, that appeared to play a leading role in coordinating this network.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026

I talk myself through each step of the plan, like I’m coordinating a heist with glass cutters, guy-wires, and suction cups.

From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

• agree
• harmonize
• integrate
• organize
• regulate