Plain English Meaning
It is the compass direction to something, given as a number of degrees measured clockwise from north. North is 0°, east is 90°, south is 180°, and west is 270°.
Full Definition
The horizontal angular distance from a fixed reference direction (usually true or magnetic north) to a point or object, measured clockwise in degrees from 0° to 360°.
Context Anchor
Seen in navigation, compass direction, antenna alignment, radar, and aircraft systems that describe direction around the horizon.
Derivation
From the Arabic 'as-sumut,' meaning 'the directions' or 'the ways.' It entered European astronomy and navigation through medieval Arabic star charts, where it described the horizontal direction to a celestial object. The aviation usage carries the same idea: a horizontal direction measured around the horizon.