geography

noun

ge·​og·​ra·​phy jē-ˈä-grə-fē How to pronounce geography (audio)
plural geographies
1
: a science that deals with the description, distribution, and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth's surface
2
: the geographic features of an area
3
: a treatise on geography
4
a
: a delineation or systematic arrangement of constituent elements : configuration
the philosophers … have tried to construct geographies of human reasonTimes Literary Supplement
b
: makeup sense 1
her emotional geography

Examples of geography in a Sentence

studying the geography of the western United States the geography of the region matches ancient descriptions of the location of the lost city
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As for geographies, the fragrances are expected to resonate well in China, the U.S. and Europe, which are the top three best-performing markets for Bulgari fragrances at large at the moment. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 17 June 2025 Garcia argued that attitudes on immigration vary significantly depending on national origin, geography, and personal history. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025 The classes included American Sign Language, English, history, psychology and geography. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025 Another important question is how teens’ perceptions of their access to firearms at home may vary depending on cultural backgrounds, geography and different households’ attitudes and beliefs around firearm use. Rebeccah Sokol, The Conversation, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for geography

Word History

Etymology

Latin geographia, from Greek geōgraphia, from geōgraphein to describe the earth's surface, from geō- + graphein to write — more at carve

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of geography was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Geography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geography. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

geography

noun
ge·​og·​ra·​phy jē-ˈäg-rə-fē How to pronounce geography (audio)
plural geographies
1
: a science that deals with the location of living and nonliving things on earth and the way they affect one another
2
: the natural parts of an area
the geography of the western U.S.
geographer
-fər
noun
geographic
ˌjē-ə-ˈgraf-ik
adjective
or geographical
-i-kəl
geographically
-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on geography

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