triangulate
gb/tɹiˈæŋɡjəlˌeɪt/ us/tɹiˈæŋɡjəlˌeɪt/
C1
English
bemér, háromszögeléssel bemér, összevet, több forrásból ellenőriz, egyensúlyoz, pozicionál, belevon, belerángat, triangulál, háromszögekre bont
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
1
bemér
B2
Usage pattern:
triangulate [a position/location/signal]
Rescue teams tried to triangulate the hiker’s phone signal.
A mentőcsapatok megpróbálták bemérni a túrázó telefonjának jelét.
The system can triangulate a drone’s location using sensors on nearby buildings.
A rendszer a közeli épületeken lévő érzékelők segítségével be tudja mérni egy drón helyzetét.
By comparing readings from three towers, engineers triangulated the source of the interference.
Learner examples
They triangulated the signal and found the boat.
Bemérték a jelet, és megtalálták a hajót.
The app uses nearby towers to triangulate your location.
Az alkalmazás a közeli tornyok segítségével beméri a tartózkodási helyedet.
Common mistake:
Do not use it simply to mean “make a triangle”; it usually means finding a position using several reference points.
Meaning
locate by angle measurements
Collocations
triangulate a position
|triangulate a location
|triangulate a signal
|triangulate coordinates
|triangulate a phone
|triangulate the source
|triangulate from known points
Synonyms
locate (more general; does not specify the method)
|
pinpoint (emphasizes finding an exact position)
|
fix (technical; means establish a precise position)
Antonyms
mislocate (identify the wrong position)
|
lose track of (fail to know where something is)
Themes
navigation
|mapping
|technology
|measurement
Definition
to find where something is by comparing measurements from several known places
To determine the position of something by measuring angles or distances from two or more known points.
VERB
C1
2
Usage pattern:
triangulate [information/data/evidence] with/from/against [sources]
The reporter triangulated the account with court records and two independent witnesses.
Az újságíró bírósági iratokkal és két független tanú vallomásával vetette össze az elmondottakat.
We should triangulate the survey results with sales data before changing the strategy.
A stratégia módosítása előtt össze kell vetnünk a felmérés eredményeit az értékesítési adatokkal.
Researchers used interviews, observations, and documents to triangulate their findings.
Learner examples
She triangulated the story with three sources.
Három forrás alapján ellenőrizte a történetet.
We need more data to triangulate the result.
Több adatra van szükségünk az eredmény ellenőrzéséhez.
Common mistake:
It is often used for comparing multiple sources, not just checking one source carefully.
Meaning
verify using multiple sources
Collocations
triangulate data
|triangulate evidence
|triangulate information
|triangulate findings
|triangulate sources
|triangulate results
|triangulate the truth
|triangulate with interviews
|triangulate from several sources
Synonyms
cross-check (emphasizes checking one source against another)
|
corroborate (more formal; means support with additional evidence)
|
verify (more general; may involve only one method)
Antonyms
assume (accept without checking evidence)
|
take at face value (accept something without comparing it with other sources)
Themes
research
|journalism
|business
|data
|critical_thinking
Definition
to use several different sources to check whether something is true or likely
To check, support, or infer something by comparing several independent sources, methods, or pieces of evidence.
VERB
C2
3
egyensúlyoz
B2
pozicionál
C1
Usage pattern:
triangulate between [groups/views/positions]
The candidate tried to triangulate between business leaders and union voters.
A jelölt megpróbált egyensúlyozni az üzleti vezetők és a szakszervezeti szavazók között.
The company triangulated its message to appeal to both privacy advocates and advertisers.
A vállalat úgy alakította az üzenetét, hogy egyszerre legyen vonzó az adatvédelem hívei és a hirdetők számára.
Rather than defend one side clearly, he kept triangulating between the two camps.
Learner examples
The mayor triangulated between the two parties.
A polgármester a két párt között egyensúlyozott.
The brand tried to triangulate its message.
A márka megpróbálta úgy alakítani az üzenetét, hogy több oldalnak is megfeleljen.
Common mistake:
This does not always mean being neutral; it often suggests a calculated strategy to appeal to different groups.
Meaning
position between opposing sides
Collocations
triangulate between factions
|triangulate between positions
|triangulate a message
|triangulate a policy
|triangulate politically
|triangulate around an issue
Synonyms
position (more general; does not imply balancing sides)
|
straddle (suggests trying to occupy both sides of an issue)
|
moderate (suggests making a stance less extreme)
Antonyms
polarize (push people or positions further apart)
|
take sides (choose one side rather than positioning between them)
Themes
politics
|strategy
|business
|communication
Definition
to choose a middle or strategic position between different sides
To take or create a strategic position between competing views, groups, or interests, often to gain broader support.
VERB
C2
TECHNICAL
4
belevon
B1
belerángat
B2
Usage pattern:
triangulate [someone] into [a conflict/relationship/situation]
The therapist warned the parents not to triangulate their child into their arguments.
A terapeuta figyelmeztette a szülőket, hogy ne vonják bele a gyereküket a vitáikba.
Please don’t triangulate me into your conflict with your manager.
Kérlek, ne vonj bele a vezetőddel való konfliktusodba.
Instead of talking to her directly, he triangulated a mutual friend into the problem.
Learner examples
Don’t triangulate your child into the fight.
Ne vond bele a gyerekedet a veszekedésbe.
They need to talk directly, not triangulate a friend.
Közvetlenül kellene beszélniük egymással, nem egy barátot belevonni.
Common mistake:
This use is common in psychology and relationship advice; it does not mean simply “introduce three people.”
Meaning
involve a third person
Collocations
triangulate a child
|triangulate a friend
|triangulate someone into an argument
|triangulate family members
|avoid triangulating
|feel triangulated
Synonyms
involve (more general and neutral)
|
pull in (informal; emphasizes drawing someone into a situation)
|
use as a go-between (more explicit; describes indirect communication)
Antonyms
address directly (deal with the person involved without a third party)
|
communicate directly (speak to the relevant person rather than through someone else)
Themes
relationships
|psychology
|communication
|conflict
Definition
to bring another person into a problem between two people instead of speaking directly
To draw a third person into a relationship, disagreement, or emotional situation, especially instead of dealing directly with the other person involved.
VERB
C2
TECHNICAL
5
triangulál
C1
Usage pattern:
triangulate [a surface/mesh/area/model]
The software triangulates the surface before rendering the 3D model.
A szoftver a 3D modell renderelése előtt triangulálja a felületet.
Surveyors triangulated the land into smaller sections for calculation.
A földmérők a számításokhoz kisebb háromszögekre osztották a területet.
The algorithm triangulates the polygon and then measures each triangle separately.
Learner examples
The program triangulates the 3D surface.
A program triangulálja a 3D-s felületet.
They triangulated the area for the map.
A térképhez háromszögekre osztották a területet.
Common mistake:
This is a technical use; in everyday English, “triangulate” more often means locate or verify using several points or sources.
Meaning
divide into triangles
Collocations
triangulate a surface
|triangulate a mesh
|triangulate a polygon
|triangulate a model
|triangulate an area
|triangulate data points
Synonyms
mesh (often means create a network of small shapes, not necessarily triangles)
|
tessellate (more general; divide into repeated shapes, not only triangles)
|
subdivide (more general; divide into smaller parts)
Antonyms
merge (combine smaller parts into a larger whole)
|
smooth (remove or reduce hard divisions in a model or surface)
Themes
geometry
|computing
|design
|mapping
Definition
to split a shape or surface into triangles for calculation or modeling
To divide a surface, area, or set of points into triangles, especially for mapping, geometry, graphics, or computer modeling.
Grammar
Dictionary form
triangulate
IPA
GB/tɹiˈæŋɡjəlˌeɪt/
US/tɹiˈæŋɡjəlˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
tri - an - gu - late (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (an)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: triangulate
- 3rd Person Singular: triangulates
- Present Participle: triangulating
- Past: triangulated
- Past Participle: triangulated
Expressions
triangulate on
1/tɹiˈæŋɡjəlˌeɪt ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
business
converge on an answer
to get closer to the right answer by using several kinds of information
Examples
- After reviewing the surveys, interviews, and sales data, the team triangulated on a realistic price.
- We used several forecasts to triangulate on the most likely demand for next quarter.
- The analysts triangulated on a valuation range rather than a single exact number.
Learner examples
- We triangulated on a fair price.
- They used different data to triangulate on the answer.