A waypoint is a specific point along a route that marks where you are or where you're going. Think of it like a checkpoint in a journey: when hikers plan a trail through the mountains, they might set waypoints at a stream crossing, a scenic overlook, and a rest area before reaching the summit.

Modern GPS devices and navigation apps use waypoints constantly. When you map a trip with multiple stops, each stop is a waypoint. A pilot flying from New York to Los Angeles doesn't just aim straight for the destination. The flight plan includes dozens of waypoints along the way, each one a specific coordinate in the sky that helps ensure the plane stays on course.

Sailors used waypoints long before GPS existed, marking their progress by islands, lighthouses, or other landmarks they could see and navigate toward.

You can think of waypoints as the dots you connect to complete a journey. If you're riding your bike across town, your waypoints might be your friend's house, then the library, then the ice cream shop, and finally home. Each waypoint gets you closer to where you're going while helping you track your progress and stay on course.