Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

dead-reckoning

noun

/ˈdɛdˌrɛkənɪŋ/

Definition

The process of estimating one’s current position based on a previously determined position, without using visual references.

Examples

The captain used dead-reckoning to chart the ship’s course when the fog rolled in.
Even with a GPS, he decided to practice dead-reckoning skills in the wilderness.
The pilots relied on dead-reckoning during their flights over the ocean.

Meaning

Dead-reckoning is often used in navigation, allowing a person to calculate their current position by using speed, distance traveled, and time, rather than relying on landmarks or celestial bodies.