verb
triangulate
treye-ANGG-yuh-layt
verb
1
To find the exact location of something by measuring angles from two or more known points.
"Surveyors triangulated the position of the new boundary marker."
2
(figurative) To play two people or groups against each other to gain an advantage.
"The politician was accused of trying to triangulate rival factions within the party."
How to Use Triangulate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo pinpoint a location using angle measurements, or figuratively, to maneuver between two opposing sides for your own benefit.
Common pairings
triangulate a signal
triangulate a position
triangulate between factions
Word Forms
triangulated past tense, triangulates singular
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Surveyors _____ the position of the new boundary marker.
Etymology
From Latin triangulum, "triangle," plus the verb-forming suffix -ate — the surveying sense comes from using triangles of known points to calculate an unknown position.