GIS a coordinate-based data structure commonly used to represent map features —note 1. each linear feature is represented as a list of ordered x,y coordinates —note 2. attributes are associated with the feature (as opposed to a raster data structure, which associates attributes with a grid cell) —note 3. traditional vector data structures include double-digitized polygons and arc-node models —see arc-node topologyThis definition last updated 08/17/2008