Degree is a name given to various small units of measure. In geometry and on maps, a degree is a unit of measurement of angles and of arcs of circles. An angle of 1 degree (1°) is 1/90 of a right angle. An arc of 1° is 1/360 of a whole circle. Because longitude and latitude lines are circles, they are also measured in degrees. Degrees in geometry are divided into 60 units called minutes. Some branches of higher mathematics measure angles in units called radians. See Angle; Circle; Latitude; Longitude; Minute; Radian; Second.
Degrees are also units of measurement of temperature. One degree of temperature on the Fahrenheit scale is 1/180 of the difference between the temperatures of melting ice and boiling water. One degree on the Celsius scale of temperature is 1/100 of the same difference. See Thermometer.
