Definition
Predefined geographic positions, identified by latitude and longitude, used to define a route of flight or progress along that route. Waypoints may be named fixes, navaids, intersections, or pilot-defined points entered into a GPS or flight management system.
Plain English
Specific points on the map that you fly to, one after another, to make up your planned route.
Context Anchor
Seen during preflight route planning, on navigation logs, on charts, and in an airplane’s navigation system.
Derivation
From 'way' (path or route) plus 'point' (a specific location). The term came from marine navigation and was adopted into aviation when GPS and area navigation made it easy to fly directly between any two defined points rather than only between ground-based navaids.
Why Pilots Care
Waypoints enable precise, repeatable navigation, reduce pilot workload in instrument conditions, and support safe routing through controlled airspace.
Intuition Check
Do not assume a waypoint has to be an airport, a visible landmark, or a place you fly directly over. It is any planned navigation point used to shape or track the route.
Example Sentence 1
She loaded each waypoint into the GPS in order, so the unit could guide her from departure to destination.
Example Sentence 2
By flying from one waypoint to the next, the aircraft stayed on the assigned route through the busy terminal area.