map
/mæp/ (bre, ipa) · [mˈæp] /mæp/ (ame, ipa) · [mˈæp] /ˈmap/ (ame, mw)
map — noun
- mapsingular
- mapsplural
1. A flat picture that tells you where places such as countries, cities, and mounta
A flat picture that tells you where places such as countries, cities, and mountains are, and how to travel from one location to another.
Padma unfolded the map of Taiwan and traced the route from Taipei to Kaohsiung.
collocation: unfold a map / trace a route on a map
The geography teacher asked the class to find all the rivers marked on the map.
A good hiking map shows trails, campsites, and emergency shelters.
Hiro pinned a large wall map of the world above his desk.
The museum displayed a sixteenth-century map of the Mediterranean Sea.
文法句型
a/the map of [place]
on a/the map
常見錯誤
2. A drawing or diagram that gives a specific type of information — such as weather
A drawing or diagram that gives a specific type of information — such as weather patterns, population density, or historical borders — across a particular area.
The weather map showed a storm moving across the Pacific Ocean.
collocation: weather map
Archaeologists used a soil map to decide where to dig.
This population map uses different colours for each age group.
Sari consulted a flood-risk map before buying her new house.
文法句型
a [type] map of [area]
用法筆記
The type of information is typically named before 'map' as a compound noun (e.g. 'weather map', 'soil map', 'flood-risk map').
3. A diagram that helps you locate celestial bodies such as stars, planets, and moo
A diagram that helps you locate celestial bodies such as stars, planets, and moons in the night sky or across a planetary body.
Wren took a star map outside and tried to find the North Star.
collocation: star map
The astronomy club handed out simple star maps during the meteor shower.
Using a moon map, Esteban identified the craters visible through his telescope.
Élise bought a glow-in-the-dark star map for her bedroom ceiling.
- star chart
interchangeable with 'star map', but 'chart' is slightly more common among astronomers
- celestial chart
more formal or technical term for the same thing
文法句型
a [type] map of [the sky/planet]
用法筆記
Also called a 'star chart' or 'celestial chart'. 'Moon map' is used for the surface of the Moon.
4. A simple, often hand-drawn picture that shows how to travel from one place to an
A simple, often hand-drawn picture that shows how to travel from one place to another, without using exact distances or scale.
The cafe owner drew a quick direction map on a napkin for the tourist.
collocation: draw a direction map
Pim scribbled a simple map showing the way to the beach.
Charlotte checked the hand-drawn map her friend had emailed her.
Without a proper street map, they relied on a rough sketch from the hotel staff.
- sketch map
emphasises that the drawing is rough and not detailed
文法句型
draw a map
a map to [place]
用法筆記
Unlike a geographical map (sense 1), a direction map is not drawn to scale and only shows essential landmarks for getting to a specific destination.
常見錯誤
map — verb
- mappresent simple I / you / we / they
- maps3rd person singular
- mapping-ing form
- mappedpast simple
1. To create a detailed drawing of an area's physical features, such as its land, r
To create a detailed drawing of an area's physical features, such as its land, rivers, roads, and buildings.
Scientists used sonar to map the ocean floor near the island.
collocation: map the ocean floor
Early explorers spent years mapping the interior of the continent.
The team mapped every trail in the national park using GPS devices.
Satellites help scientists map changes in Arctic ice over time.
- chart
very similar; 'chart' is more common for coasts, seas, and air routes, while 'map' is broader
文法句型
map + [area/feature]
用法筆記
Often used in scientific and exploration contexts. The object is typically a large geographic area or feature (ocean floor, coastline, forest).
2. To plan or describe in detail the way that different elements of a system, a pro
To plan or describe in detail the way that different elements of a system, a project, or a set of relationships fit together.
The research team mapped the entire process of cell division.
collocation: map a process
Before writing the novel, Eli mapped out the relationships between all the characters.
The software maps the connections between genes and diseases.
Zuri mapped her career goals on a timeline from age twenty to fifty.
文法句型
map + [abstract structure/process]
map out + [plan]
用法筆記
Frequently occurs in the phrasal form 'map out' (e.g. 'map out a strategy', 'map out a career plan'). The phrasal form often emphasises the planning aspect more than the representation aspect.
常見錯誤
3. To connect each number or data point in one set to a matching number or data poi
To connect each number or data point in one set to a matching number or data point in another set, following a fixed rule or function.
In algebra class, Selim learned how to map values from one set to another.
mathematical usage: map [values] from [set] to [set]
The function maps each input number to its square.
Computer programmers often map user IDs to account numbers in a database.
The database maps each customer name to a unique order number.
In coordinate geometry, every point maps to a pair of numbers.
- correspond to
less technical; 'correspond to' describes the relationship rather than the action of establishing it
文法句型
map + [value] + from/to + [set]
用法筆記
Also common in computing contexts. The pattern 'map A to/onto B' is standard. This sense is almost always used in the active voice.
map — abbreviation
1. A hotel rate that includes the cost of a room, breakfast, and dinner, but not lu
A hotel rate that includes the cost of a room, breakfast, and dinner, but not lunch.
The conference rate is on the MAP plan, so dinner is included in the price.
abbreviation: MAP = modified American plan
Guests who choose MAP pay less than those on the full American plan.
The resort offers MAP rates for guests who want dinner included with their room.
Under the MAP plan, lunch is paid separately while breakfast and dinner are covered.
- full American plan (AP)
includes all three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
用法筆記
Short for 'modified American plan'. Rare in modern use; most hotels now list rates as 'half board' instead.