What is Bowditch? Definition, Units, and Uses

Bowditch is a unit of length used in navigation, particularly in aviation and maritime contexts. It is defined as the distance that a ship or aircraft travels during one minute of time at a speed of one knot (nautical mile per hour).

One bowditch is equal to 0.86895 kilometers or 0.5047 miles. The term "bowditch" comes from the name of Nathaniel Bowditch, an American navigator and mathematician who developed the concept of the nautical mile in the late 18th century.

In aviation, bowditch is used to measure the distance flown during a flight, while in maritime contexts, it is used to calculate the distance traveled by a ship over a given period of time. The term is also sometimes used colloquially to refer to any short distance or interval of time.