Coordinate
/koʊˈɔːrdɪneɪt/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo organize activities or people so that they work together effectively.
/koʊˈɔːrdɪneɪt/
To bring the different elements of a complex activity or organization into a relationship that will ensure efficiency or harmony.
The team needs to coordinate their efforts to finish the project on time.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're planning a party. You need to coordinate the caterer, the DJ, and the decorations so everything comes together smoothly. That's what coordinating is all about – making sure things work well together!
👶 For kids: To make things work together nicely, like when you and your friends decide to all play the same game.
More Examples
The traffic lights are designed to coordinate the flow of vehicles.
She's good at coordinating events, making sure everything runs smoothly.
How It's Used
"The project manager will coordinate the efforts of the different teams."
"The shipping company needs to coordinate the delivery of goods."
To align or bring together different elements for a particular purpose or effect.
/koʊˈɔːrdɪneɪt/
To bring into a common action, movement, or condition.
The dancers worked hard to coordinate their movements.
💡 Simply: Imagine playing a sport where you need to work closely with others on your team. When you pass the ball to someone, you're coordinating your actions so you can work together to win the game.
👶 For kids: To work with others to do something together well!
More Examples
The company must coordinate its marketing efforts with sales.
The army needs to coordinate all of their resources in order to launch an attack.
How It's Used
"The brain must coordinate muscle movements during complex physical tasks."
"The team must coordinate their passes to score."
A set of numbers used to determine the position of a point.
/koʊˈɔːrdɪnət/
Each of a set of numbers that determine the position of a point on a line, in a plane, or in space.
The x and y coordinates describe a point's location on a graph.
💡 Simply: When you use a map, you use a grid of numbers to find the exact location of a place. These numbers are like the 'coordinates' of that spot.
👶 For kids: Numbers that tell you exactly where something is, like a secret code!
More Examples
We used the coordinates to find the exact location on the map.
The pilot used the plane's coordinates to guide the aircraft safely.
How It's Used
"The coordinates of the point are (3, 4)."
"The ship's location was determined using GPS coordinates."
Of equal rank, importance, or value.
/koʊˈɔːrdɪnət/
Equal in rank or importance.
The two departments have a coordinate relationship.
💡 Simply: When things are coordinate, they're like friends who have the same job or level of importance.
👶 For kids: Things that are the same!
More Examples
The two branches of government are coordinate.
We will use coordinate conjunctions such as 'and' and 'but' in these cases.
How It's Used
"In the sentence, 'The dog and cat', 'dog' and 'cat' are coordinate nouns."
Idioms & expressions
coordinate system
A system which uses numbers to identify the position of a point.
"The Cartesian coordinate system uses two perpendicular axes to define a point's position."
coordinate clause
A clause that is of equal rank to another clause, typically joined by a coordinate conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet).
"The dog barked, and the cat ran away."
From Medieval Latin *coordinatus*, past participle of *coordinare* ("to arrange in the same order"), from *co-* ("together") + *ordinare* ("to arrange").
The word 'coordinate' has been used since the 17th century, originally relating to order and arrangement, then evolving to its current meanings concerning organization and location.
Memory tip
Think of the word 'orchestrate'. Both involve bringing things together in an organized manner to achieve a common goal.
Word Origin
"to arrange in the same order"