verb
Common
coordinate
koh-AW-dih-niht
Coordinate (verb) means to organize different people or activities so they work together effectively. Example: “Someone has to coordinate the lifts so nobody turns up at the airport alone.”
verb
1
To organize different people or activities so they work together effectively.
"Someone has to coordinate the lifts so nobody turns up at the airport alone."
"She coordinated the volunteers for the entire event."
"The two agencies coordinated their response to the flood."
noun
1
A number or set of numbers that gives the position of a point on a graph, map, or grid.
"The pilot read out the coordinates of the island over the radio."
"Each point on the graph has an x coordinate and a y coordinate."
"Enter the coordinates of your destination into the GPS."
adjective
1
Equal in rank, order, or importance.
"In this sentence, the two coordinate clauses are joined by the word and."
"The two managers hold coordinate positions, so neither can give the other orders."
"The two branches of government are coordinate, not one subordinate to the other."
How to use coordinate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo organize things so they work well together, or (as a noun) the numbers that pinpoint a location.
Common pairings
coordinate efforts
map coordinates
GPS coordinates
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Word forms
- Plural
- coordinates
- Third person singular
- coordinates
- Past tense
- coordinated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Someone has to _____ the lifts so nobody turns up at the airport alone.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin coordinatus, built from co- ("together") and ordinare ("to arrange, put in order") — the same root as "ordain" and "order."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for coordinate
See all rhymes for coordinate →Frequently asked questions
What does “coordinate” mean?
The word “coordinate” means to organize different people or activities so they work together effectively. In plain terms, to organize things so they work well together, or (as a noun) the numbers that pinpoint a location.
How do you pronounce “coordinate”?
“Coordinate” is pronounced koh-AW-dih-niht (/koʊˈɔɹ.də.nɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “coordinate” in a sentence?
Here is “coordinate” used in a sentence: “She coordinated the volunteers for the entire event.”
What part of speech is “coordinate”?
Depending on how it is used, “coordinate” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “coordinate” come from?
The word “coordinate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin coordinatus, built from co- ("together") and ordinare ("to arrange, put in order") — the same root as "ordain" and "order.".
Is “coordinate” a common word?
“Coordinate” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “coordinate” have?
“Coordinate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to organize different people or activities so they work together effectively.
What is the difference between coordinate and organize?
Coordinate specifically means organizing different people or activities so that they work together effectively, often implying ongoing synchronization between separate parts. Organize is broader and can simply mean arranging things into order without necessarily involving multiple parties working in sync.
What does coordinate mean in mathematics or mapping?
In mathematics and geography, a coordinate is a number or set of numbers that gives the exact position of a point on a graph, map, or grid, such as latitude and longitude coordinates or the x and y coordinates on a chart.
What does coordinate mean as an adjective, as in a coordinate clause?
As an adjective, coordinate means equal in rank, order, or importance. In grammar, a coordinate clause is one that has equal grammatical standing with another clause, typically joined by a conjunction such as 'and' or 'but', rather than being subordinate to it.
