top definitions
quizzes
related content
examples
explore dictionary
british
medical
scientific
idioms and phrases

map

[ map ]

/ mæp /

noun

a representation, usually on a flat surface, as of the features of an area of the earth or a portion of the heavens, showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships according to some convention of representation: a map of Canada.

a maplike delineation, representation, or reflection of anything: The old man's face is a map of time.

Mathematics. function (def. 4a).

Slang. the face: Wipe that smile off that ugly map of yours.

Genetics. genetic map.

verb (used with object), mapped, map·ping.

to represent or delineate on or as if on a map.

to sketch or plan (often followed by out): to map out a new career.

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

It’d be a real faux pas to miss this quiz on the words from August 3–9, 2020!

Question 1 of 7

What does “vacillate” mean?

to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.

to cause to be empty or unoccupied.

to assent tacitly; agree; consent.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for map

off the map, out of existence; into oblivion: Whole cities were wiped off the map.

put on the map, to bring into the public eye; make known, famous, or prominent: The discovery of gold put our town on the map.

Origin of map

1350–1400; Middle English mappe-(mounde), from Medieval Latin mappa mundī “map of the world”; special use of Latin mappa “napkin,” said to be from Punic

SYNONYMS FOR map

1 plan, outline, diagram.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR map ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for map

1. Map, chart, graph refer to representations of surfaces, areas, or facts. Map most commonly refers to a representation of the surface of the earth or a section of it, or an area of the sky: a map of England. A chart may be an outline map with symbols conveying information superimposed on it, a map designed especially for navigators on water or in the air, a diagram, or a table giving information in an orderly form: a chart of the shoals off a coast. A graph may be a diagram representing a set of interrelated facts by means of dots or lines on a coordinate background; or it may use small figures (people, animals, machines, etc.) appropriate to the facts being represented, each figure standing for a specific number in statistics being given: a graph of the rise in population from 1900 to 1980.

OTHER WORDS FROM map

map·pa·ble, adjectivemapper, nounre·map, verb (used with object), re·mapped, re·map·ping.self-mapped, adjective

un·map·pa·ble, adjectiveun·mapped, adjectivewell-mapped, adjective

Words nearby map

Māori warden, Mao suit, mao-tai, Mao Tse-tung, Mao Zedong, map, mapau, maple, maple butter, maple family, Maple Grove

Definition for map (2 of 3)

Map

[ map ]

/ mæp /

noun

Walter, c1140–1209?, Welsh ecclesiastic, poet, and satirist.

Also Mapes

[meyps, mey-peez]. /meɪps, ˈmeɪ piz/.

Definition for map (3 of 3)

MAP

abbreviation

modified American plan.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for map

This was also the year Duke University student Belle Knox put college girls on the map.
Porn Stars on the Year in Porn: Drone Erotica, Belle Knox, and Wild Sex|Aurora Snow|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Millennial Action Project (MAP) seeks to engage young people in politics and give them more of a voice in governing.
When Will We See a #Millennial Congress?|Linda Killian|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A map shows each station on the route, along with marking POW camps and other landmarks along the way.
Riding Thailand’s WWII Death Railway|Liza Foreman|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Please,” he laughed, handing me the map after he was finished sketching.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In fact, what this map really showed was the fallacy of aggregates – and how statistics can mask real cultural shifts.
Beer Countries vs. Wine Countries|Clive Irving|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If not in the Government plan the secretary would under-take to make such a map.
Northern Nut Growers Association, Report of the Proceedings at the Fourth Annual Meeting|Various
Don't forget it is my first visit here; and you, I fancy, know the map of the country.'
Jack Hinton|Charles James Lever
Narva, as appears by the map, is situated on the sea-coast, near the frontier—much nearer than Riga.
Peter the Great|Jacob Abbott
Here's my map, nicely done in pencil, with all the names marked.
The Youngest Girl in the Fifth|Angela Brazil
When you pick up a map, the first question is, Where is the north?
Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army|War Department.

British Dictionary definitions for map (1 of 2)

map

/ (mæp) /

noun

a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface or part of it, showing the geographical distributions, positions, etc, of natural or artificial features such as roads, towns, relief, rainfall, etc

a diagrammatic representation of the distribution of stars or of the surface of a celestial bodya lunar map

a maplike drawing of anything

maths another name for function (def. 4)

a slang word for face (def. 1)

off the map no longer important or in existence (esp in the phrase wipe off the map)

put on the map to make (a town, company, etc) well-known

verb maps, mapping or mapped (tr)

to make a map of

maths to represent or transform (a function, figure, set, etc)the results were mapped onto a graph See also map out

map onto (intr) to fit in with or correspond to

Derived forms of map

mappable, adjectivemapless, adjectivemapper, noun

Word Origin for map

C16: from Medieval Latin mappa (mundi) map (of the world), from Latin mappa cloth

British Dictionary definitions for map (2 of 2)

Map

Mapes (mæps, ˈmeɪpiːz)

/ (mæp) /

noun

Walter. ?1140–?1209, Welsh ecclesiastic and satirical writer. His chief work is the miscellany De Nugis curialium

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for map

map

[ măp ]

n.

The human face.

A genetic map.

v.

To make a map of.

To locate a gene or DNA sequence in a specific region of a chromosome in relation to known genes or DNA sequences.

Scientific definitions for map

map

[ măp ]

A representation of a region of three-dimensional space, such as of the Earth or a part of the universe, usually on a two-dimensional plane surface. See also projection.

See genetic map.

Idioms and Phrases with map

map

see put on the map; wipe off the map.

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

map

noun

verb (used with object), mapped, map·ping.