quadrant

noun

quad·​rant ˈkwä-drənt How to pronounce quadrant (audio)
1
a
: an instrument for measuring altitudes consisting commonly of a graduated arc of 90 degrees with an index or vernier and usually having a plumb line or spirit level for fixing the vertical or horizontal direction
b
: a device or mechanical part shaped like or suggestive of the quadrant of a circle
2
a
: an arc of 90 degrees that is one quarter of a circle
b
: the area bounded by a quadrant and two radii
3
a
: any of the four parts into which a plane is divided by rectangular coordinate axes lying in that plane
b
: any of the four quarters into which something is divided by two real or imaginary lines that intersect each other at right angles
quadrantal adjective

Illustration of quadrant

Illustration of quadrant
  • quadrant 2

Did you know?

This word is used for a traditional instrument, used to make calculations of altitude and traditionally employed by sailors to navigate, which has a piece shaped like a quarter of a circle. A quadrant shower is a shower that fits snugly into a bathroom corner and displays a curved front, making a quadrant shape on the floor. But perhaps quadrant is used most often today to name a particular quarter of a city.

Examples of quadrant in a Sentence

Draw two intersecting lines that divide the page into four quadrants. The town is located in the northwest quadrant of the state.
Recent Examples on the Web The goal is to move all 15 of your pieces around the board, into your home quadrant (the section of the board closest to you) and then off the playing surface entirely — the first player to clear all their pieces off the board is the winner. Julia Halperin, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Houston mostly plays zone, dividing the field into quadrants for its linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties to defend. Tom Withers, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2024 The putting green is split into four quadrants, with incremental slopes ranging from 0-1% to 3-4% inclines. Jack Bantock, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 In the past, state tournament brackets were determined by placing sections into certain quadrants of the bracket on a rotating basis. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2024 The farm is divided into quadrants, each dedicated to one of four great tribes of Africa. Jodie Valade, Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2024 Normally this causes fever and abdominal pain that is initially felt in the region around the belly button but then moves to the right lower quadrant as the infection and inflammation spread to the highly sensitive lining of the abdominal cavity known as the peritoneum. Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 10 Jan. 2024 Many of the ingredients come from the vegetable quadrant of Santar’s famed gardens. Ann Abel, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 Among those skeptical of the agency’s approach was state Sen. Lynn Findley, a Republican who represents a sprawling, sparsely populated district that covers the entire southeast quadrant of the state. Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quadrant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin quadrant-, quadrans fourth part; akin to Latin quattuor four — more at four

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of quadrant was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near quadrant

Cite this Entry

“Quadrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quadrant. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

quadrant

noun
quad·​rant ˈkwäd-rənt How to pronounce quadrant (audio)
1
: an arc of 90° : one quarter of a circle
2
: any of the four quarters into which something is divided by two real or imaginary lines that intersect each other at right angles

Medical Definition

quadrant

noun
quad·​rant ˈkwäd-rənt How to pronounce quadrant (audio)
1
: an arc of 90° that is one quarter of a circle
2
: any of the four more or less equivalent segments into which an anatomic structure may be divided by vertical and horizontal partitioning through its midpoint
pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen

More from Merriam-Webster on quadrant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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