WordGarden.iotriangulate
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /traɪˈænɡjʊlˌeɪt/
US
Meanings
Verb
to determine a position or solve for a location by using measurements, signals, or reference points from multiple directions
to infer, verify, or pin down something by comparing several sources, clues, or data points
to involve a third person in a conflict or relationship in order to mediate, stabilize, or manipulate it
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're lost at sea. Sailors used to triangulate their position by looking at landmarks from different angles and using those angles to work out where they were. But the word is not just about navigation. Today, it also means checking information by comparing it with more than one source. Think of a detective gathering clues; they triangulate the truth by comparing witness statements and physical evidence. It can also mean dividing an area into triangles for measurement or calculation. In politics, it can mean finding a middle position between two opposing sides.
To triangulate originally meant to determine the location of a point by measuring angles from that point to two other known points—forming a triangle where the unknown point is one vertex. This technique was crucial for surveying, navigation, and mapmaking for centuries. Think of ancient astronomers charting the stars or sailors finding their way across vast oceans; they relied on precise angle measurements to triangulate their exact positions.
However, in modern usage, "triangulation" has expanded beyond its geometric roots. It's now commonly used as a research method—particularly in the social sciences—where researchers use multiple sources of data or various methods to corroborate findings and strengthen the validity of their conclusions. This is like checking a news story with three different reporters to get a more accurate and unbiased picture of events.
Furthermore, triangulate can refer to dividing a complex area or surface into triangles for measurement, mapping, or computer modeling. In the world of politics, a strategist might try to triangulate a position by finding a "third way"—positioning a candidate between two opposing ideological poles to appeal to a broader middle ground. The word can also be used more loosely for working something out by combining several points of evidence or reference.
So, whether it's pinpointing a location on a map, checking a claim against several sources, breaking a surface into triangles, or finding a middle ground in a debate, triangulation is about using three points, angles, or lines of evidence to reach a clearer result.
Examples
- 1
Search and rescue
Rescue teams triangulated the hikers' position from their emergency beacon.
- 2
Criminal investigation
Detectives triangulated the suspect's movements using phone records, camera footage, and bank transactions.
- 3
Multiple sources
We tried to triangulate the truth by comparing what the witnesses, the emails, and the photos all showed.
- Phrasetriangulate the truth
work it out by checking several sources
- 4
Business planning
Before changing the plan, the team triangulated the survey results with customer interviews and sales data.
- Patterntriangulate X with Y
check X against other information
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Family conflict
In therapy, he realized his parents often triangulated arguments by pulling him into their conflicts instead of speaking directly to each other.
- Domainin therapy or family conflict, triangulate arguments
involve a third person in a conflict instead of dealing with it directly
See also
Similar
- cross-check
- corroborate
- verify
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- triangulate the source
- triangulate the data
- triangulate from multiple sources
Word family
- triangulation
- triangulated
Explore
- data validation
- source criticism
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- triangulateverbadjective