Definition
A predefined geographical position, specified by latitude and longitude coordinates, used to define an RNAV (area navigation) route or the position of an aircraft along that route. Waypoints may be named (using a five-letter identifier such as KUBBS or BOSOX) or defined by reference to a navigation aid with a bearing and distance.
Plain English
A fixed point in space, defined by its position on the earth, that a pilot uses as a target to fly to or past. Strung together, waypoints form the route the aircraft follows.
Context Anchor
Seen in area navigation flight plans, instrument procedures, cockpit navigation displays, and route clearances.
Derivation
From 'way' (the path or route) and 'point' (a specific location). The word came into navigation use to mean 'a point along the way' — a position you pass through on your route. The aviation meaning follows that directly: a defined point along the route of flight.
Why Pilots Care
Waypoints support precise, flexible routing that reduces reliance on ground-based navigation aids and enables more direct instrument flight paths.
Intuition Check
A waypoint is not necessarily a visible object on the ground. It can be an invisible position defined by coordinates and stored in the navigation system.
Example Sentence 1
Cleared direct KUBBS, the pilot selected the waypoint on the GPS and turned to intercept the new course.
Example Sentence 2
Each waypoint on the arrival defined a turn or altitude change along the path to the airport.