Definition

The horizontal DIRECTION of one terrestrial point from another, expressed as the ANGULAR DISTANCE from a REFERENCE DIRECTION. It is usually measured from 0° at the REFERENCE DIRECTION clockwise through 360°. The terms bearing and AZIMUTH are sometimes used interchangeably, but in NAVIGATION the former customarily applies to terrestrial objects and the latter to the DIRECTION of a point on the CELESTIAL SPHERE from a point on the EARTH. A bearing is designated as true, MAGNETIC, or compass as the REFERENCE DIRECTION is TRUE, MAGNETIC, or COMPASS NORTH.