surveying

noun

sur·​vey·​ing sər-ˈvā-iŋ 

ˈsər-ˌvā-

: a branch of applied mathematics that is concerned with determining the area of any portion of the earth's surface, the lengths and directions of the bounding lines, and the contour of the surface and with accurately delineating the whole on paper

Examples of surveying in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Along with its use as a personal commuter, possible other applications for the Janus-1 include cargo transport, emergency medical response, aerial surveying, and wilderness rescue. —Ben Coxworth october 21, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2025

Gilbertson’s goal wasn’t just to climb the mountain, but to use high-tech surveying tools to measure its precise height. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 17 Oct. 2025

Within minutes, guests can be standing beneath the stone arches of Arches National Park, 4 miles away, or surveying mesas and buttes in Canyonlands National Park, 30 miles southwest, where the Colorado and Green rivers have carved the landscape for centuries. —Cari Shane, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025

How is their scrap-heap surveying so much better than Colorado, which got value out of outfielder Mickey Moniak this season, but largely whiffed on all their other fliers? —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surveying

• allaying
• arraying
• assaying
• betraying
• bricklaying
• buffeting
• conveying
• crocheting
• decaying
• defraying
• delaying
• dismaying

Kids Definition

surveying

noun

sur·​vey·​ing

sər-ˈvā-iŋ

: a branch of mathematics concerned with finding the area of any part of the earth's surface, the lengths and directions of the boundary lines, and the shape of the surface and with accurately showing the results on paper