geology

noun

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

Examples of geology in a Sentence

learning about the geology of Hawaii

Recent Examples on the Web

Their rise parallels growing curiosity about volcanic wines and the role geology plays in shaping character and place. —Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

During the Loma Prieta earthquake, the severity of damage was highly localized based on the geology of the soil and the structures built on top. —Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 30 May 2026

There certainly is a lot more to the story, both in terms of biology and geology. —Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026

Upstream in Sudan, however, the underlying geology and geomorphological setting is different. —Geoff Emberling, The Conversation, 19 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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