noun
- a navigational instrument used to measure the angle between two visible objects, especially for determining position at sea
Usage: nautical
Examples
- The ship’s captain used a sextant to determine their exact location.
- Navigation by sextant requires clear visibility of the horizon and celestial bodies.
- Before GPS, sailors relied on the sextant for accurate positioning.
- The maritime academy teaches students how to use a sextant properly.
- He carefully adjusted the sextant to measure the sun’s angle above the horizon.
- The antique sextant was displayed in the maritime museum.