trilateration

American  

[trahy-lat-uh-rey-shuhn] / traɪˈlæt əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

Surveying.

1. a method of determining the relative positions of three or more points by treating these points as vertices of a triangle or triangles of which the angles and sides can be measured.

---

trilateration British  

/ ˌtraɪlætəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. a method of surveying in which a whole area is divided into triangles, the sides of which are measured, usually by electromagnetic distance measuring for geodetic control or by chain survey for a detailed survey

---

Etymology

Origin of trilateration

trilater(al) + -ation

Example Sentences

Using a process called trilateration the GPS device converts these signals into exact latitude and longitude locations.

From National Geographic

And if that information is accurate, their precise location can be revealed using a process called trilateration.

From BBC

Using a process called trilateration, these orbiting bodies are able to tell where you are.

From Time

There is a form of triangulation called trilateration that enables you to use geometry to calculate a precise location based on a set of three precise distances.

From Forbes