cardinal point

noun
UK: /ˌkɑːdɪnl ˈpɔɪnt/
US: /ˌkɑːrdɪnl ˈpɔɪnt/

  1. One of the four main points of a compass: north, south, east, and west.

    1. North is a cardinal point.
    2. Navigators rely on cardinal point directions for accurate positioning at sea.

  2. A fundamental or essential element; a crucial aspect or factor.

    1. Honesty is a cardinal point.
    2. Addressing climate change is a cardinal point for the future health of the planet.

Synonyms

basic essential principle cornerstone direction

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "cardinal point" in English means: One of the four main points of a compass: north, south, east, and west., A fundamental or essential element; a crucial aspect or factor..

The phonetic transcription of "cardinal point" is /ˌkɑːdɪnl ˈpɔɪnt/ in British English and /ˌkɑːrdɪnl ˈpɔɪnt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "cardinal point": basic, essential, principle, cornerstone, direction.

Example usage of "cardinal point": "North is a cardinal point.". More examples on the page.