Skip to content

Glossary definition: Quadrant

Quadrant: A Plane Divided into 4 Equal Parts

A quadrant is a quarter-circle shape divided into four equal parts. It is typically used in mathematics, astronomy, and navigation to measure angles and distances. In mathematics, a quadrant is used to define the four basic directions of the Cartesian coordinate system, which are labeled as the first, second, third, and fourth quadrants. In astronomy, quadrants are used to measure the position of celestial bodies in the sky. In navigation, quadrants are used to measure the bearing of a vessel relative to a fixed point. Quadrants are also used in engineering and surveying to measure angles and distances.