contour line

noun

Updated on: 11 Mar 2018

Definition of contour line

: a line (as on a map) connecting the points on a land surface that have the same elevation

Recent Examples of contour line from the Web

The next image shows the incredible pressure gradient (change in pressure over distance, revealed by contour lines called isobars).

— jeff halverson, Washington Post, "A mighty wind: Behind one of Washington’s worst-ever winter wind storms," 5 Mar. 2018
Topographic maps, which hikers use, typically show major highways, trails, waterways, vegetation (such as forests and meadows) and contour lines that depict elevation.

— jenny rough, Washington Post, "Why it’s a real mistake to count on a cellphone when you go hiking," 16 Sep. 2017
The Unisphere, a stainless steel globe with contour lines denoting elevation and crossed rings to suggest orbiting rockets, was built for the 1964 World’s Fair as a hopeful monument to unity, humanity, and space travel.

— rahel aima, New Republic, "Ai WeiWei Takes on the Migrant Crisis," 23 Oct. 2017
The canvases were heavily influenced by Japanese art, including the flatness of the color with bold contour lines.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "A Virtual Exhibit Unites Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers," 11 Aug. 2017

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