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.
Slang. the face.
Wipe that smile off that ugly map of yours.
Genetics. genetic map.
to represent or delineate on or as if on a map.
to sketch or plan (often followed byout ).
to map out a new career.
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.
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 body
a lunar map
a maplike drawing of anything
maths another name for function
a slang word for face
no longer important or in existence (esp in the phrase wipe off the map )
to make (a town, company, etc) well-known
to make a map of
maths to represent or transform (a function, figure, set, etc) See also map out
the results were mapped onto a graph
(intr) to fit in with or correspond to
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
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.
First recorded in 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; perhaps compare Mishnaic Hebrew mapāh “tablecloth”
A map is a diagram of a place, showing roads and highways and natural features like lakes, rivers, and mountains. When your dad stops the car, sighs, and pulls out his map, you are probably lost. As more and more people rely on electronic devices to get directions, the art of reading a map is becoming lost. A map can illustrate roads, stars in the galaxy, or even the genes in a human chromosome. When you map something, you sketch it or plan the route or steps you will take, like mapping out your future. A Latin root of map is mappa, or "napkin," as in something you'd sketch a map on.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
From miles away, a commander in the rear tracking the assault can view the exact same battlefield map with real-time location data as the troops in the field.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
Now, researchers have uncovered evidence that the structures may have functioned as a sophisticated navigation system, allowing an ancient animal to interpret Earth's magnetic field much like a map.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026
The Center for Western Priorities also created a map of about 1,500 projects, many of which already had been approved, that the National Park Service shifted to a new “low priority” list this year.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
For Cuban-American agricultural expert Hugo Orizondo it is only practical to draw up a road map to Cuban development.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
I know the map is of Iowa Circle, but the upper right corner says “Jamaica.”
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Nearly 400 more are under construction nationwide while at least 1,500 are in the planning stage, Data Center Map estimated.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026
The Giant Tree Map also guided us toward exceptional concentrations of massive trees that we call 'temples of giants'.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026
Of the 224 throughout the state, 140 populate central Ohio, dotting the city center through to the edges of suburban cities like New Albany and Dublin, according to Data Center Map.
From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026
Apa's famous friends left apparent messages of support under his post, including his Map That Leads to You co-star Madelyn Cline, who wrote: "Identify theft is not a joke."
From BBC ● May 7, 2026
The same was true of Siberia, although the Map of Days had its own name for Russia’s Far East: The Great Far-Reaching Solitude.
From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs
“As is the case with any large, strategic document, submitting the MAP is one thing, but publishing it is another thing entirely,” the official said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026
He obtained 84 votes compared to the runner up, Turkish Mustafa Serkan Sabanca, who got 60 votes, Moroccan state news agency MAP said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 27, 2025
Another doctor placed at al-Aqsa with MAP, James Smith, told the BBC that he had heard gunfire on several days.
From BBC ● Jan. 10, 2024
Struvite also contains nitrogen, but struvite is less water soluble than MAP.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 27, 2023
“Yes, the MAP IN CHARLESTON,” Frank said loudly, giving Percy a wide-eyed look to make sure he hadn’t missed the information.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
He said Abdela had "dived into the centre of the boat and moved to another location wearing a hat" before being identified, adding that the vessel did not have flares, GPS or maps onboard.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
Eaton fire officials have continued to say they were not aware the fire was moving west, but FireGuard maps provided in the report show the blaze beginning to shift westward as early as 9 p.m.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
But China’s robotics industry has mostly overcome its issues thanks to efforts to localize the production of major components, as well as its willingness to direct capital with government-backed national road maps.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
A simple regression maps the 6.3% nominal GDP growth through the second quarter to a 5.5% yield and 6.9% nominal GDI growth to a 5.8% yield.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
It was sunny, with colorful maps and posters on the walls.
From "I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964" by Lauren Tarshis
These properties were mapped into a Special Flood Hazard Area, which refers to places that are at risk from flooding from a 100-year flood.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
That study mapped changes associated with aging rather than testing a treatment, but it highlighted the hypothalamus as an important area for further investigation.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026
They formed an unlikely alliance with Abe Connally, a retired computer programmer and Democrat who had already mapped 25 Flock cameras in the county.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
At that meeting, Burnham's team mapped out four key moments in the coming months.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
I wonder—if I came here long enough, mapped every step and slope, would I feel safe?
From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
The NGC2 program is designed to give troops the latest communication, mapping and artificial intelligence tools.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
The blocked agreements affecting Joshua Tree also included support for projects to improve mapping technology, address pest infestations at Keys Ranch and bolster the archaeology program.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
Perhaps this existence is more about riding the ebb and flow than it is mapping the course.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026
Using drones and three-dimensional mapping techniques, Danish researcher Klaus Thymann and his team have created a detailed model of what remains.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026
Being in the room helped me understand more about the geometry of the space program as well as the mapping between locations that I was constantly asked to calculate.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
