geology

1 of 2

noun (1)

ge·​ol·​o·​gy jē-ˈä-lə-jē 

plural geologies

1

a

: a science that deals with the history of the earth and its life especially as recorded in rocks

b

: a study of the solid matter of a celestial body (such as the moon)

2

: geologic features

the geology of Arizona

3

: a treatise on geology

geologist

jē-ˈä-lə-jist 

noun

geologist

2 of 2

noun (2)

ge·​ol·​o·​gist jēˈäləjə̇st 

plural -s

: a specialist in geology

Examples of geology in a Sentence

Noun (1)

learning about the geology of Hawaii

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 1908, President Teddy Roosevelt established the Grand Canyon National Monument at over 800,000 acres, and it was intended to protect the geology of that landscape. — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026

The other surprise about Boquete is its climate and the natural greenhouse conditions the local geology creates. — Peter Lane Taylor, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

So far this decade, the state has seen 44 earthquakes, according to Robert Bauer, a principal scientist of engineering geology with the Illinois State Geological Survey. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

There are hundreds of sewer overflow points throughout the Allegheny, the Monongahela and the Ohio rivers, Daniel Bain, associate professor of geology and environmental science at University of Pittsburgh. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

New Latin geologia, from ge- + -logia -logy

Noun (2)

geology + -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for geology

• ology
• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology

Kids Definition

geology

noun

ge·​ol·​o·​gy jē-ˈäl-ə-jē 

plural geologies

1

a

: a science that deals with the history of the earth and its life especially as recorded in rocks

b

: a study of the features of a heavenly body (as the moon)

2

: the geologic features (as mountains or plains) of an area

geologic

ˌjē-ə-ˈläj-ik

adjective

or geological

-i-kəl

geologically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

geologist

jē-ˈäl-ə-jəst 

noun