Definition
A horizontal angle measured clockwise from a fixed reference direction (usually true north or magnetic north) to the direction of an object, point, or signal, expressed in degrees from 0° to 360°.
Plain English
The compass-style direction to something, measured as an angle going clockwise from north. For example, due east is an azimuth of 090°.
Context Anchor
Pilots may see AZM in charts, notices, equipment descriptions, and navigation information where a direction around the horizon is being given in a shortened form.
Derivation
From the Arabic 'as-sumut,' meaning 'the directions' or 'the paths.' Arab astronomers used it for the angle along the horizon to a star. Aviation kept the same idea: a horizontal angle measured around the horizon from a known starting point.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots use azimuth to determine the bearing to waypoints, runways, or other aircraft during navigation and approach procedures.
Analogy
Think of standing in the middle of a compass drawn on the ground. Azimuth is the number of degrees you turn around that circle to face a particular direction.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse azimuth with height. Azimuth is direction around the horizon, not how high something is above the ground.
Example Sentence 1
The controller reported the traffic at an azimuth of 270° from the station, three miles out.
Example Sentence 2
During the approach briefing, the azimuth to the runway threshold was confirmed as 180 degrees.