con·tour
ˈkän-ˌtu̇r 
1
: an outline especially of a curving or irregular figure : shape
the sleek contours of the car
The map shows the contour of the coastline.
also
: the line representing this outline
2
: the general form or structure of something : characteristic
—often used in plural
the contours of a melody
… the contours of political and social theories.—
James G. Paradis
James G. Paradis3
: a usually meaningful change in intonation in speech
1
: following contour lines or forming furrows or ridges along them
contour flooding
contour farming
2
: made to fit the contour of something
a contour couch
contour sheets
contoured; contouring; contours
1
a
: to shape the contour of
b
: to shape so as to fit contours
2
: to construct (something, such as a road) in conformity to a contour
Synonyms
Examples of contour in a Sentence
Noun
He loved the sleek contours of the car.
The map showed the contour of the coastline.
Recent Examples on the WebMark David, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
The brand's Skin Caviar Collection is a marvel of bio-engineering, designed to enhance the skin's natural contours and profoundly improve its texture.
—Julie Loffredi, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The mask has deep contours in the eye areas to keep pressure off.
—Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2024
The distinctive contours of the solar eclipse the woman stared at days prior were etched onto her retina.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
This design not only eliminates the need for batteries but also minimizes disruptions to the heart’s natural function by molding to its contours.
—Pengju Li, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2024
Dragon’s Back trail curves through the southeast side of the city, winding through the contours of the mountain’s ridges above the coastline.
—Condé Nast, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2024
They’re also constructed with the brand’s contour seam to accentuate your figure and a gap-proof waistband, so there’s no need for alterations.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024
This music is supremely inviting, with melodies that follow the general contours of R&B, but without any agony, no messy human catharsis to clean up afterward.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
Paula Lee, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2023
This is best to be cut with dry hair to create texture, contour individual features and remove weight where needed.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023
The lightweight suitcase features a comfortable contour grip handle, extra durable zippers, and sturdy spinner wheels that glide effortlessly on and off of planes and through the airport.
—Rachael Green, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2023
Fenty Beauty’s contour stick and Anastasia Beverly Hills’s powder sculpt her visage (pro tip: blend nose contour with your fingers for a natural look), while a NARS color corrector and Dior concealer brighten her dark circles.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 June 2023
What is contour? Contouring works by mimicking natural shadow, so a matte finish (as opposed to a shimmery one) in a contour product is a must.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 24 Feb. 2023
Some soles, such as those made of cork, contour to the shape of your foot.
—Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 13 Apr. 2023
Westman's special trick is to dab the contour stick on her eyelids for definition.
—Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 9 Mar. 2023
The company says its AI may help speed up a process called contour delineation, in which clinicians use CT scans to outline healthy organs and tissue at risk so the radiation can be directed towards the tumor.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2023
Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024
The overall shape of the boot is contoured to better fit your foot for a feminine, pointy-toed silhouette.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2024
The shoes contour to your feet with cushiony suede and feature a vegan leather upper.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024
Editor Tip: Like other hybrid mattresses, this one also features a mixture of high-density foams and encased coils to give you the perfect balance of contouring comfort and pushback support.
—Sarah Madaus, Allure, 14 Mar. 2024
This included everything from powdery matte foundations with orange-toned blush and blue chalky contour, to skeptical pin-thin brows and creamy pigmented red cheeks.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Feb. 2024
Every Curve The ribbed texture of these bodysuits helps to contour to the body’s shape and offer a flattering figure-hugging look.
—Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2024
Scarlet crystals contoured their skin, while jewels encrusted their nails.
—Essence, 26 Jan. 2024
The soft variety pillows lack the firmness and contouring to support the neck and head properly.
—Sixteen Ramos, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024
Noun
Cunningham configured the roughly 3,800-square-foot residence as a series of Kandinsky-esque concentric circles in two overlapping wings that follow the contours of the land and form an S shape.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
The brand's Skin Caviar Collection is a marvel of bio-engineering, designed to enhance the skin's natural contours and profoundly improve its texture.
—Julie Loffredi, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The mask has deep contours in the eye areas to keep pressure off.
—Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2024
The distinctive contours of the solar eclipse the woman stared at days prior were etched onto her retina.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
This design not only eliminates the need for batteries but also minimizes disruptions to the heart’s natural function by molding to its contours.
—Pengju Li, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2024
Dragon’s Back trail curves through the southeast side of the city, winding through the contours of the mountain’s ridges above the coastline.
—Condé Nast, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2024
They’re also constructed with the brand’s contour seam to accentuate your figure and a gap-proof waistband, so there’s no need for alterations.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024
This music is supremely inviting, with melodies that follow the general contours of R&B, but without any agony, no messy human catharsis to clean up afterward.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
Adjective
This supersoft and stretchy straight-leg style from the Good Curve collection is designed to hug and contour curves, while the signature high-rise waistband is also gap-proof for a smooth fit.
—Paula Lee, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2023
This is best to be cut with dry hair to create texture, contour individual features and remove weight where needed.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023
The lightweight suitcase features a comfortable contour grip handle, extra durable zippers, and sturdy spinner wheels that glide effortlessly on and off of planes and through the airport.
—Rachael Green, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2023
Fenty Beauty’s contour stick and Anastasia Beverly Hills’s powder sculpt her visage (pro tip: blend nose contour with your fingers for a natural look), while a NARS color corrector and Dior concealer brighten her dark circles.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 June 2023
What is contour? Contouring works by mimicking natural shadow, so a matte finish (as opposed to a shimmery one) in a contour product is a must.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 24 Feb. 2023
Some soles, such as those made of cork, contour to the shape of your foot.
—Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 13 Apr. 2023
Westman's special trick is to dab the contour stick on her eyelids for definition.
—Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 9 Mar. 2023
The company says its AI may help speed up a process called contour delineation, in which clinicians use CT scans to outline healthy organs and tissue at risk so the radiation can be directed towards the tumor.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2023
Verb
Beauty experts representing every corner of the industry—from skin and hair to makeup and even body contouring—have descended upon Los Angeles to make Hollywood's sparkliest shine even brighter.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024
The overall shape of the boot is contoured to better fit your foot for a feminine, pointy-toed silhouette.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2024
The shoes contour to your feet with cushiony suede and feature a vegan leather upper.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024
Editor Tip: Like other hybrid mattresses, this one also features a mixture of high-density foams and encased coils to give you the perfect balance of contouring comfort and pushback support.
—Sarah Madaus, Allure, 14 Mar. 2024
This included everything from powdery matte foundations with orange-toned blush and blue chalky contour, to skeptical pin-thin brows and creamy pigmented red cheeks.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Feb. 2024
Every Curve The ribbed texture of these bodysuits helps to contour to the body’s shape and offer a flattering figure-hugging look.
—Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2024
Scarlet crystals contoured their skin, while jewels encrusted their nails.
—Essence, 26 Jan. 2024
The soft variety pillows lack the firmness and contouring to support the neck and head properly.
—Sixteen Ramos, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contour.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near contour
Cite this Entry
“Contour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contour. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contour
1 of 3 noun
con·tour
ˈkän-ˌtu̇(ə)r
1
: the outline of a figure, body, or surface
2
: a line or drawing showing an outline
contour
2 of 3 adjective1
: following contour lines or forming furrows or ridges along them
contour farming
contour flooding
2
: made to fit the contour of something
contour bedsheets
contour
3 of 3 verb1
: to shape the contour of
2
: to shape to fit contours
Medical Definition
contour
1 of 2 noun
con·tour
ˈkän-ˌtu̇(ə)r
: an outline especially of a curving or irregular figure
also
: the line representing this outline
contour
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to shape the contour of
contour a gingiva in gingivoplasty
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