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Definition of surface
1 : the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body on the surface of the water the earth's surface
2 : a plane or curved two-dimensional locus of points (such as the boundary of a three-dimensional region) plane surface surface of a sphere
3a : the external or superficial aspect of something trouble lurks below the surfaceb : an external part or layer sanded the rough surfaces
on the surface
: to all outward appearances
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of surface in a Sentence
The painting's surface is covered with fine cracks.
The bowl has a shiny surface.
The surface of wood was rough.
Be careful of icy surfaces on the roads.
Recent Examples of surface from the Web
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On the surface, these might seem like reasonable worries.
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That's when Dial's name surfaces at all in the offseason press.
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Top division stadiums were largely transformed into safer, all-seat venues, with fences around the playing surface torn down to avoid further tragedies.
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These rings embrace the rough, natural texture of stones, instead of polishing them down to a smooth surface.
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NOAA's Coral Reef Watch uses satellite observations of sea surface temperatures and modeling to monitor and forecast when water temperatures rise enough to cause bleaching.
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Spicules randomly fire off the surface of the sun and can travel as fast as 60 miles a second for distances as long as 6,000 miles.
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In 2012, the Curiosity rover began its slow trek across the surface of Mars, listening for commands from Earth about where to go, what to photograph, which rocks to inspect.
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On the surface, Johnson’s life may seem like the tragedy of an individual.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'surface'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of surface
French, from Middle French, from sur- + face face, from Old French — more at face
surface
Definition of surface
1a : of, located on, or designed for use at the surface of somethingb : situated, transported, or employed on the surface of the earth surface mail surface vehicles
2 : appearing to be such on the surface only : superficial surface friendships
Examples of surface in a Sentence
Despite the surface differences between the two candidates, they are very similar in most ways.
a surface stain on the wood that can easily be removed with a mild detergent
First Known Use of surface
1642
surface
Definition of surface
surfaced
;surfacing
transitive verb
1 : to give a surface to: such asa : to plane or make smoothb : to apply the surface layer to surface a highway
2 : to bring to the surface surface a sunken ship
intransitive verb
1 : to work on or at the surface
2 : to come to the surface
3 : to come into public view : show up letters that have recently surfaced
surfacer
nounExamples of surface in a Sentence
The whale surfaced and then dove back down.
The information surfaced many years later.
After several years, the actress surfaced in a comedy.
The road needs to be surfaced again.
Recent Examples of surface from the Web
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The attention might swell in the coming weeks after a claim of harassment surfaced last week involving the mayor.
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The case came to the attention of authorities on July 29, 2016, when a video surfaced of Rodriguez shaving the student’s pubic hair.
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Consider that a giant male could, when surfacing, have the top of its head as much as a metre or so above the water’s surface, and now imagine being in a small boat or even swimming when such a creature emerges nearby.
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Aamaq news agency— which surfaced in 2014_has become the group’s fastest and most reliable media arm.
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After Abbas and Trump’s meeting in Washington, no reports surfaced that the prisoner issue was addressed—
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Several Republicans said Tuesday after the memo surfaced that Comey should testify to Congress.
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The WannaCry attacks, which first surfaced Friday, became a sign to investors that the cybersecurity industry would grow even further as cyber attacks become more sophisticated in future years.
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A video has surfaced of a fistfight between two men aboard a Southwest Airlines flight on Sunday as the aircraft was taxiing to a terminal at Hollywood Burbank Airport for a layover, according to Burbank police.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'surface'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of surface
1778
SURFACE Defined for English Language Learners
surface
playDefinition of surface for English Language Learners
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: an outside part or layer of something
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: the upper layer of an area of land or water
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: the flat, top part of something (such as a table or desk) that you can work on
surface
Definition of surface for English Language Learners
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: involving only the parts that are easy to see or notice
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: involving the removal of the surface of a large area of land to get at coal or other material that is near to the surface
surface
Definition of surface for English Language Learners
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: to rise to the surface of water
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: to appear or become obvious after being hidden or not seen
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: to put a surface on (something, such as a road)
SURFACE Defined for Kids
Definition of surface for Students
1 : the outside or any one side of an object She floated on the water's surface.
2 : the outside appearance On the surface the idea seems good.
Definition of surface for Students
: not deep or real a surface wound a surface friendship
Definition of surface for Students
surfaced
;surfacing
1 : to come to the surface The submarine surfaced.
2 : to become obvious Claudia's impatience surfaced. — E. L. Konigsburg, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
3 : to give a new top layer to : make smooth (as by sanding or paving)
Medical Dictionary
surface
playMedical Definition of surface
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth
Learn More about surface
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for surface Spanish Central: Translation of surface Nglish: Translation of surface for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of surface for Arabic speakers
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