In navigation, which term describes your direction of travel?

• A. Bearing
• B. Heading
• C. Azimuth
• D. Course

Answer: (C)

The line of travel direction is described by azimuth. This is the clockwise angle from north to the direction you’re actually moving, usually measured on a chart or in navigation instruments. It directly encodes where you’re headed in relation to the reference direction of north, making it the clear way to express your travel direction.

Other terms describe related ideas but not the exact travel direction in the same way. Bearing is typically the angle from north to a line toward a target point, not the movement itself. Heading is where the vessel is pointing, which can differ from actual travel due to wind or current. Course is the intended or actual path over the ground, which can drift away from the heading. So for stating your movement direction relative to north, azimuth is the most precise fit.