GPS
|gee/pee/ess|
/ˌdʒiːˌpiːˈɛs/
satellite-based location system
Etymology
'GPS' originates from English, specifically the phrase 'Global Positioning System', where 'global' meant 'worldwide', 'positioning' meant 'determining position', and 'system' meant 'an organized set of elements'.
'Global Positioning System' developed as the official name for the U.S. Department of Defense satellite navigation program (often associated with the earlier name 'NAVSTAR GPS') and the abbreviation 'GPS' emerged as the common short form in technical and public use.
Initially tied primarily to a U.S. military navigation system and its satellites, the term evolved to refer generally to civilian satellite-based navigation and the consumer devices that use the service.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
global Positioning System; a satellite-based radio-navigation system that provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.
The ship's GPS enabled the crew to determine their exact position in foggy conditions.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/30 10:01