1. A mathematical function used in navigation and geography to calculate the great-circle distance between two points on a sphere given their latitudes and longitudes.
Usage: technical; mathematics; geography

Examples

• The haversine formula is commonly used in GPS applications to determine the shortest distance between two locations.
• Navigators rely on the haversine function to calculate accurate distances across the Earth's surface.
• The haversine method accounts for the spherical shape of the Earth, making it more precise than flat-distance calculations.
• Web developers often implement the haversine formula in mapping applications to find nearby points of interest.
• The haversine function was historically important for maritime navigation before modern satellite technology.