1
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body
on the surface of the water
the earth's surface
2
: a plane or curved two-dimensional locus of points (such as the boundary of a three-dimensional region)
plane surface
surface of a sphere
3
a
: the external or superficial aspect of something
trouble lurks below the surface
b
: an external part or layer
sanded the rough surfaces
1
a
: of, located on, or designed for use at the surface of something
b
: situated, transported, or employed on the surface of the earth
surface mail
surface vehicles
2
: appearing to be such on the surface only : superficial
surface friendships
surfaced; surfacing
1
: to give a surface to: such as
a
: to plane or make smooth
b
: to apply the surface layer to
surface a highway
2
: to bring to the surface
surface a sunken ship
1
: to work on or at the surface
2
: to come to the surface
3
: to come into public view : show up
letters that have recently surfaced
surfacer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of surface in a Sentence
Noun
The painting's surface is covered with fine cracks.
The bowl has a shiny surface.
The surface of wood was rough.
Be careful of icy surfaces on the roads.
Adjective
Despite the surface differences between the two candidates, they are very similar in most ways.
a surface stain on the wood that can easily be removed with a mild detergent
Verb
The whale surfaced and then dove back down.
The information surfaced many years later.
After several years, the actress surfaced in a comedy.
The road needs to be surfaced again.
Recent Examples on the Web
Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024
While fields, forests and jungles have made green the color most associated with surface life on Earth, that may not be the case for other planets, according to a new study from researchers at Cornell University's Carl Sagan Institute.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
Hawaii is one of the most coveted destinations in the world, but travelers often merely scratch the surface of what the state has to offer.
—Kathleen Wong, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2024
This ancient tree, which blanketed Gondwana before the continents formed, helped sequester carbon and increase oxygen levels, lowering surface temperatures and paving the way for a more temperate climate suitable for land animals.
—Eugene Linden, TIME, 21 Apr. 2024
The surface is covered with smooth enamel that looks beautiful and protects the integrity of the cast iron, preventing it from rusting over time.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
The spacecraft is scheduled to investigate and perform flybys of Europa, Jupiter's moon, where data suggest that a global ocean of water lies beneath the icy surface, which may be habitable for life.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2024
That's because of how sunlight strikes the moon's surface after passing through our atmosphere.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Apr. 2024
Cicadas have three pairs of legs that are adapted for grasping branches or other surfaces.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Time, 11 Aug. 2023
The battery life alone (23 minutes and 30 seconds) makes this one of the best cordless vacuums, but there are some additional unique features that helped this Eureka multi-surface model stand out to us.
—Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023
In it were tablets containing concentrated hand soap as well as multi-surface, glass and bathroom cleaners — and four empty containers.
—Susan Shain, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
The sub was fitted with six 533-millimeter torpedo tubes and carried a mix of both anti-surface and anti-submarine weapons.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 23 Dec. 2022
The multi-surface cleaner works with Dyson's signature de-tangling Motorbar cleaner head, a brush bar that safely captures hair and moves it along with no clogged mess.
—Lauren Fischer, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2022
Clorox’s multi-surface mist does it all.
—Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022
Plus, its dual multi-surface rubber brushes flex to adjust to different floor types and avoid getting tangled with pet hair.
—Stephanie Mlot, PCMAG, 16 Mar. 2023
Besides the citrusy aroma, there’s a lot to love about the eco-friendly subscription service, including the reusable spray bottles—and the fact that just a small spritz of multi-surface, all-purpose cleaner is enough to banish grease from your cooktop.
—Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 16 Feb. 2023
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024
As folks held Zoom meetings and ran back and forth between legislative offices over the last few days, one sentiment surfaced with mathematical consistency:
If one kid is allowed to change his mind and pull out, aren’t all the other kids going to want to do that as well?
—Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 23 Apr. 2024
The possibility of a widening conflict in the Middle East — and of rising oil prices feeding into inflation in the United States — surfaced again on Friday when Israel struck Iran.
—Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
After reports of the arrest surfaced, York City Police Commissioner Michael Muldrow issued a statement confirming that Cugini is a member of their department.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
This concern is surfacing while San Diego and other jurisdictions already face an infrastructure funding shortfall.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2024
The news first surfaced with a post her mother shared Monday on LinkedIn.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024
The announcement comes a month after word surfaced that the NFL player was in discussions to host a reboot of the quiz show.
—Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
The error surfaced on social media Saturday afternoon.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024
Noun
Unfold the pastry gently, and to prevent sticking, roll the sheet out on a surface dusted with flour, sugar or grated cheese, depending on whether your recipe is sweet or savory.
—Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024
While fields, forests and jungles have made green the color most associated with surface life on Earth, that may not be the case for other planets, according to a new study from researchers at Cornell University's Carl Sagan Institute.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
Hawaii is one of the most coveted destinations in the world, but travelers often merely scratch the surface of what the state has to offer.
—Kathleen Wong, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2024
This ancient tree, which blanketed Gondwana before the continents formed, helped sequester carbon and increase oxygen levels, lowering surface temperatures and paving the way for a more temperate climate suitable for land animals.
—Eugene Linden, TIME, 21 Apr. 2024
The surface is covered with smooth enamel that looks beautiful and protects the integrity of the cast iron, preventing it from rusting over time.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
The spacecraft is scheduled to investigate and perform flybys of Europa, Jupiter's moon, where data suggest that a global ocean of water lies beneath the icy surface, which may be habitable for life.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2024
That's because of how sunlight strikes the moon's surface after passing through our atmosphere.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Apr. 2024
Cicadas have three pairs of legs that are adapted for grasping branches or other surfaces.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Yet the show somehow manages to add depth to its seemingly surface sartorial choices.
—Time, 11 Aug. 2023
The battery life alone (23 minutes and 30 seconds) makes this one of the best cordless vacuums, but there are some additional unique features that helped this Eureka multi-surface model stand out to us.
—Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023
In it were tablets containing concentrated hand soap as well as multi-surface, glass and bathroom cleaners — and four empty containers.
—Susan Shain, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
The sub was fitted with six 533-millimeter torpedo tubes and carried a mix of both anti-surface and anti-submarine weapons.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 23 Dec. 2022
The multi-surface cleaner works with Dyson's signature de-tangling Motorbar cleaner head, a brush bar that safely captures hair and moves it along with no clogged mess.
—Lauren Fischer, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2022
Clorox’s multi-surface mist does it all.
—Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022
Plus, its dual multi-surface rubber brushes flex to adjust to different floor types and avoid getting tangled with pet hair.
—Stephanie Mlot, PCMAG, 16 Mar. 2023
Besides the citrusy aroma, there’s a lot to love about the eco-friendly subscription service, including the reusable spray bottles—and the fact that just a small spritz of multi-surface, all-purpose cleaner is enough to banish grease from your cooktop.
—Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 16 Feb. 2023
Verb
This month, word surfaced in D.C. regulatory circles that Justice is preparing to launch litigation at Live Nation over its dominance of tour promotion and ticketing sales.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024
As folks held Zoom meetings and ran back and forth between legislative offices over the last few days, one sentiment surfaced with mathematical consistency:
If one kid is allowed to change his mind and pull out, aren’t all the other kids going to want to do that as well?
—Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 23 Apr. 2024
The possibility of a widening conflict in the Middle East — and of rising oil prices feeding into inflation in the United States — surfaced again on Friday when Israel struck Iran.
—Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
After reports of the arrest surfaced, York City Police Commissioner Michael Muldrow issued a statement confirming that Cugini is a member of their department.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
This concern is surfacing while San Diego and other jurisdictions already face an infrastructure funding shortfall.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2024
The news first surfaced with a post her mother shared Monday on LinkedIn.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024
The announcement comes a month after word surfaced that the NFL player was in discussions to host a reboot of the quiz show.
—Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
The error surfaced on social media Saturday afternoon.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surface.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to surface
Dictionary Entries Near surface
Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surface
1 of 2 noun
sur·face
ˈsər-fəs 
1
: the outside of an object or body
on the surface of the water
the earth's surface
2
: any flat or curved two-dimensional area in space
the surface of a cube
3
: the outside appearance
on the surface the plan seems good
surface
adjective
surface
2 of 2 verb
surfaced; surfacing
1
a
: to make smooth
b
: to apply the surface layer to
surface a road
2
: to bring or come to the surface
3
: to come into public view
letters that recently surfaced
Medical Definition
surface
noun
sur·face
ˈsər-fəs
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body
the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share