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topography

noun
to·​pog·​ra·​phy | \ tə-ˈpä-grə-fē How to pronounce topography (audio) \

Definition of topography

1a : the art or practice of graphic delineation in detail usually on maps or charts of natural and man-made features of a place or region especially in a way to show their relative positions and elevations
b : topographical surveying
2a : the configuration of a surface including its relief and the position of its natural and man-made features
b : the physical or natural features of an object or entity and their structural relationships the topography of human chromosomes the political topography of our time
Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about topography

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Did You Know?

Topography combines top- with graph-, a root meaning "write" or "describe". The topography of the Sahara Desert features shifting sand dunes and dry, rocky mountains. A topographic (or topo) map not only shows the surface features of a region but also indicates the contours and approximate altitude of every location, by means of numerous curving lines, each indicating a single elevation. In other words, it shows a "three-dimensional" picture on a two-dimensional surface. Topo maps are commonly used by hikers, surveyors, government workers, and engineers, among other people.

Examples of topography in a Sentence

a map of the topography of the coastline shows a significant loss of wetlands

Recent Examples on the Web

 The topography and soils reports are also available. — Monica Lander, The Mercury News, "Sponsored: Create an extraordinary estate on this 4.8-acre view lot in an exclusive gated community," 24 July 2019 Danger levels are calculated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on fuels, topography, climate, fire history and other factors. — AZCentral.com, "At the base of a canyon, every fire season can be a gamble," 23 July 2019 The data come from sonar, which reveals seafloor topography, and seismic profiling, which uses low-frequency booms to probe the sediment. — Richard Kemeny, Science | AAAS, "As countries battle for control of North Pole, science is the ultimate winner," 20 June 2019 First, the natural history and topography is stunning and incomparable. — Pat Lenhoff, chicagotribune.com, "Column: America still is great. But my European vacation allowed me to reassess what it does best.," 19 June 2019 The last mission to map the planet’s topography was NASA’s Magellan orbiter, which launched 30 years ago. — Shannon Hall, Scientific American, "Venus, Earth’s Evil Twin, Beckons Space Agencies," 12 June 2019 The department has agreed to restore the site’s natural topography and re-establish native hardwood trees. — USA TODAY, "Black Hills yaks, serious senioritis on campus, Pony Express: News from around our 50 states," 10 June 2019 Marin adds that, over time, water began to move in and changed the topography, rendering that farm obsolete and making way for Leidersdorff to purchase the land. — Samantha Weiss Hills, Curbed, "Entrepreneur, and beekeeper, Claire Marin opens the door to her home near New York’s Catskill Mountains," 8 July 2019 The Loop will connect five regions of the city, each with distinct geology, topography, plant and animal communities, and history. — Laurel Deppen, The Courier-Journal, "'It will be a wedding ring for our city': Everything to know about the Louisville Loop," 28 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'topography.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of topography

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for topography

Middle English topographie, from Late Latin topographia, from Greek, from topographein to describe a place, from topos place + graphein to write — more at carve

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More Definitions for topography

topography

noun
How to pronounce topography (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of topography

technical
: the art or science of making maps that show the height, shape, etc., of the land in a particular area
: the features (such as mountains and rivers) in an area of land

See the full definition for topography in the English Language Learners Dictionary

topography

noun
to·​pog·​ra·​phy | \ tə-ˈpäg-rə-fē How to pronounce topography (audio) \
plural topographies

Medical Definition of topography

1 : the physical or natural features of an object or entity and their structural relationships the topography of the abdomen the topography (size and fluorescent staining intensity) of human chromosomes — Science News
2 : regional anatomy

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