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
see also on the surface
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
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
The most visible sign of this decay is the toxic white foam that now coats the surface, a thick layer of sewage and industrial waste that has formed over sections of the river.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 17 Jan. 2026
The proposal includes a tennis center with multi-surface courts, hotels, water polo facilities, retail, a wellness center and stadium to host soccer matches.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
The cost of an independent study is trivial compared to the cost of emergency enforcement, retrofits, and reactive fixes once problems surface.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
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
This process, called the solar dynamo, operates deep below the surface.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
The most visible sign of this decay is the toxic white foam that now coats the surface, a thick layer of sewage and industrial waste that has formed over sections of the river.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
And this sub-surface map of Antarctica would aid climate scientists in understanding how glaciers will move as the ice continues to melt under the threat of climate change.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 17 Jan. 2026
The proposal includes a tennis center with multi-surface courts, hotels, water polo facilities, retail, a wellness center and stadium to host soccer matches.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
Two more suitcases later surfaced along the Virginia shoreline, each containing additional body parts.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
The cost of an independent study is trivial compared to the cost of emergency enforcement, retrofits, and reactive fixes once problems surface.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for surface
Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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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