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:
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
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Coming off a middling spring training from a surface-level results perspective, Freeland immediately fell into a two-strike count in his first at-bat of the season.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
Spray the multi-surface cleaner onto a damp cloth.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 16 Mar. 2026
S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
In 2022, a rumor surfaced in a Michigan school district that litter boxes were being added to unisex bathrooms for students identifying as cats, the New York Times reported.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 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
Gontang notes that walking on an incline can make a substantial difference because walking uphill requires more muscle activation and greater energy expenditure than walking on a flat surface.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Coming off a middling spring training from a surface-level results perspective, Freeland immediately fell into a two-strike count in his first at-bat of the season.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Ultraviolet light from its host star triggers the creation of sulfur dioxide in the upper atmosphere, and a massive sub-surface magma ocean acts as a buffer, storing and releasing volatile gases over billions of years.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
Spray the multi-surface cleaner onto a damp cloth.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Multiple agencies are searching for a man who went underwater at Lake Ray Roberts on Sunday and has not surfaced, officials said.
—S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
In 2022, a rumor surfaced in a Michigan school district that litter boxes were being added to unisex bathrooms for students identifying as cats, the New York Times reported.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 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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