map

¹ American  

[map] / mæp /

noun

1. 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.

   Synonyms:

   diagram, outline, plan

2. a maplike delineation, representation, or reflection of anything.

   The old man's face is a map of time.

3. Mathematics. function.

4. Slang. the face.

   Wipe that smile off that ugly map of yours.

5. Genetics. genetic map.

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verb (used with object)

mapped, mapping

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

2. to sketch or plan (often followed byout ).

   to map out a new career.

idioms

1. off the map, out of existence; into oblivion.

   Whole cities were wiped off the map.

2. 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.

Map ² American  

[map] / mæp /

Also Mapes

noun

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

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MAP ³ American  

abbreviation

1. modified American plan.

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Map ¹ British  

/ mæp, ˈmeɪpiːz, mæps /

noun

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

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map ² British  

/ mæp /

noun

1. 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

2. a diagrammatic representation of the distribution of stars or of the surface of a celestial body

   a lunar map

3. a maplike drawing of anything

4. maths another name for function

5. a slang word for face

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

7. to make (a town, company, etc) well-known

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verb

1. to make a map of

2. maths to represent or transform (a function, figure, set, etc) See also map out

   the results were mapped onto a graph

3. (intr) to fit in with or correspond to

map Scientific  

/ măp /

1. 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.

2. See also projection

3. See genetic map

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map More Idioms  

1. see put on the map; wipe off the map.

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Related Words

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 Word Forms

• mapless adjective
• mappable adjective
• mapper noun
• remap verb (used with object)
• self-mapped adjective
• unmappable adjective
• unmapped adjective
• well-mapped adjective

Etymology

Origin of map

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”

Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

India is preparing for a once-in-a-generation redraw of its political map, driven by what the government says is a push to reserve one-third of seats for women in parliament and state assemblies.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports who first put “Call Her Daddy” on the map in 2018, also weighed in.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

On social media this weekend, Trump applauded a picture of a map showing a conga line of vessels sailing to the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

That cost asymmetry — cheap offense, expensive defense — is what restructured the global counterdrone procurement map almost overnight.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Rowan took the map from his pack and unrolled it on the grass, weighting the corners down with stones.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

Related Words

• design
• drawing
• graph
• outline
• picture
• plan
• print
• sketch