octant

noun

oc·​tant ˈäk-tənt How to pronounce octant (audio)
1
: an instrument for observing altitudes of a celestial body from a moving ship or aircraft
2
: any of the eight parts into which a space is divided by three coordinate planes

Examples of octant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There is no way for such a locus to exist only in opposing octants of a cube. Quanta Magazine, 29 June 2018

Word History

Etymology

Latin octant-, octans eighth of a circle, from octo

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of octant was in 1672

Dictionary Entries Near octant

Cite this Entry

“Octant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/octant. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on octant

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!