geology

noun

ge·​ol·​o·​gy jē-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce geology (audio)
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 noun

Examples of geology in a Sentence

learning about the geology of Hawaii
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.
He’s known for building intentional cracks and erosions into his works, which often reveal an interior geology of materials like crystals or gears, and more recently, labyrinth staircases populated with small figures, not unlike a surreal antique dollhouse. Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 11 Mar. 2026 The Earth Science Club promotes interests in geology, paleontology, mineralogy and archaeology. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026 Huang and his co-authors are especially eager for higher-resolution images of the region to better characterize its geology and gauge how well astronauts could navigate its terrain—something that could come from a new moon-mapping satellite that China announced last year. Lee Billings, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2026 The unique geology of Mexico's Yucatán has left the jungles surrounding Tulum studded with cenotes, sinkholes filled with spectacularly still, crystalline waters. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for geology

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of geology was in 1735

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Geology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geology. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

geology

noun
ge·​ol·​o·​gy jē-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce geology (audio)
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on geology

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