Definition
A method of specifying a geographic position on Earth using two coordinates: latitude, which measures the angular distance north or south of the equator, and longitude, which measures the angular distance east or west of the prime meridian. Coordinates are typically expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds (or decimal degrees) and are used in aviation to define waypoints, fixes, navigational reference points, and aircraft position.
Plain English
A way of pinpointing any spot on Earth using two numbers: one tells you how far north or south you are, the other tells you how far east or west. Together they give a single, exact location.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when a position, point, or location must be identified precisely on a chart or in navigation equipment.
Derivation
Latitude comes from the Latin latitudo meaning 'breadth' or 'width,' reflecting horizontal lines running across the globe. Longitude comes from the Latin longitudo meaning 'length,' reflecting lines running the long way, from pole to pole. Knowing this helps remember which is which: latitude lines go sideways (width), longitude lines go up and down (length).
Why Pilots Care
Precise position reporting supports safe navigation and coordination with air traffic control.
Analogy
It is like giving a street address for a place on Earth, but instead of a house number and street name, you use two measured positions: one north-south and one east-west.
Intuition Check
Do not read “description” here as a general written explanation of a place. In this context, it means a precise location given by latitude and longitude values.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot entered the latitude/longitude description of the off-airway waypoint into the GPS before departure.
Example Sentence 2
Enter the latitute/longitude description of the waypoint into the flight plan.