GPS

1 of 2

noun

ˌjē-(ˌ)pē-ˈes How to pronounce GPS (audio)
: a navigational system using satellite signals to fix the location of a radio receiver on or above the earth's surface
also : the radio receiver so used

GPS

2 of 2

abbreviation

gallons per second

Examples of GPS in a Sentence

Noun The car comes with GPS.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
However, the research does not establish that the new microcomb can independently provide GPS-free navigation. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 All six defendants were arraigned in the 37th District Court before Judge Bieda, where pleas of not guilty were entered, and a $500,000 bond was set for each suspect, with the requirement that a steel-cuff GPS tether be used if bond is posted. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Her release conditions included home detention with GPS monitoring, a ban on using WeChat, and orders to avoid contact with Victim-1 or his family outside her lawyers’ presence. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 To ensure the result stood up to scrutiny, the DS's charging port was sealed before departure, and Verstaen carried two GPS trackers during the ride. — New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for GPS

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Global Positioning System

First Known Use

Noun

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of GPS was in 1974

Browse Nearby Words

G protein
GPS
GPU
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“GPS.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/GPS. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

GPS

noun
ˌjē-ˌpē-ˈes
: a navigation system that uses satellite signals to find the location of a radio receiver on or above the earth's surface
also : a radio receiver used in a GPS system
Etymology

Noun

Global Positioning System

More from Merriam-Webster on GPS

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about GPS

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