northing

American  

[nawr-thing, -thing] / ˈnɔr θɪŋ, -ðɪŋ /

noun

Navigation.

1. northward movement or deviation.

2. distance due north made on any course tending northward.

---

northing British  

/ ˈnɔːθɪŋ, -ðɪŋ /

noun

1. nautical movement or distance covered in a northerly direction, esp as expressed in the resulting difference in latitude

2. astronomy a north or positive declination

3. cartography

   1. the distance northwards of a point from a given parallel indicated by the second half of a map grid reference

   2. a latitudinal grid line Compare easting

---

Etymology

Origin of northing

First recorded in 1660–70; north + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

I wished to make all the northing that was possible, but there was nothing to be done in that way with the spritsail alone.

From The Frozen Pirate by Russell, W. Clark (William Clark)

Are we northing nearer home, Or outbound for fresh adventure On the reeling plains of foam?

From Ballads of Lost Haven A Book of the Sea by Carman, Bliss

The seed-time sacrifice was linked up with the southing or northing of some prominent star.

From A Short History of the World by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

The most notable scientific accomplishment of the first voyage was the high northing made.

From Henry Hudson A Brief Statement of His Aims and His Achievements by Janvier, Thomas A. (Thomas Allibone)

By our last day's journey, we had lost two miles of northing, and had thus recrossed the 25th parallel of south latitude.

From Journal of an Expedition into the Interior of Tropical Australia by Mitchell, Thomas