lat ‧ i ‧ tude /ˈlætətjuːd, ˈlætɪtjuːd $ -tuːd/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: latitudo , from latus 'wide' ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] the distance north or south of the ↑ equator (=the imaginary line around the middle of the world) , measured in degrees ⇨ longitude
2 . latitudes [plural] an area at a particular latitude:
The birds breed in northern latitudes.
the planet's southernmost latitudes
3 . [uncountable] formal freedom to choose what you do or say
considerable/greater latitude (=a lot of freedom to choose)
Pupils enjoy considerable latitude in deciding what they want to study.
latitude in/for
Employees should have some latitude in organizing their work.
—latitudinal /ˌlætəˈtjuːdən ə l, ˌlætɪˈtjuːdən ə l $ -ˈtuːdn-əl/ adjective