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
3
a
: the external or superficial aspect of something
trouble lurks below the surface
b
: an external part or layer
sanded the rough surfaces
1
a
: of, located on, or designed for use at the surface of something
b
: 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
surfaced; surfacing
1
: to give a surface to: such as
a
: to plane or make smooth
b
: to apply the surface layer to
surface a highway
2
: to bring to the surface
surface a sunken ship
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
noun
Examples of surface in a Sentence
Noun
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.
Adjective
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
Verb
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 on the Web
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion is a renewable energy technology that utilizes the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep ocean water to generate electricity.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
That, though, would be a gross misestimation of a car that is a complete sub-surface reinvention in the Blue Oval’s pursuit of the ultimate track horse.
—Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
No evidence has ever surfaced to support that claim.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surface
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
When the flames are out, pop on the lid to instantly transform it into a spacious surface for drinks and snacks.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion is a renewable energy technology that utilizes the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep ocean water to generate electricity.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
In addition to the Tomahawk cruise missile, the Typhon missile system can launch the Standard Missile-6, which has a range of 290 miles and is designed to conduct anti-air and anti-surface warfare operations as well as ballistic missile defense missions.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
That, though, would be a gross misestimation of a car that is a complete sub-surface reinvention in the Blue Oval’s pursuit of the ultimate track horse.
—Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
The trim and inclining experiment is to confirm the centre of gravity of the submarine and is measured by naval architects in both surfaced and submerged conditions.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
No evidence has ever surfaced to support that claim.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surface
Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surface
1 of 2 noun
sur·face
ˈsər-fəs 
1
: the outside of an object or body
on the surface of the water
the earth's surface
2
: any flat or curved two-dimensional area in space
the surface of a cube
3
: the outside appearance
on the surface the plan seems good
surface
adjective
surface
2 of 2 verb
surfaced; surfacing
1
a
: to make smooth
b
: to apply the surface layer to
surface a road
2
: to bring or come to the surface
3
: to come into public view
letters that recently surfaced
Medical Definition
surface
noun
sur·face
ˈsər-fəs
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body
the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth
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