survey

1 of 2

verb

sur·​vey sər-ˈvā  ˈsər-ˌvā 

surveyed; surveying

transitive verb

1

a

: to examine as to condition, situation, or value : appraise

b

: to query (someone) in order to collect data for the analysis of some aspect of a group or area

2

: to determine and delineate the form, extent, and position of (such as a tract of land) by taking linear and angular measurements and by applying the principles of geometry and trigonometry

3

: to view or consider comprehensively

4

: inspect, scrutinize

… he surveyed us in a lordly way …

—Alan Harrington

intransitive verb

: to make a survey

survey

2 of 2

noun

sur·​vey ˈsər-ˌvā  sər-ˈvā 

plural surveys

1

: the act or an instance of surveying: such as

a

: a broad treatment of a subject

b

: poll sense 2a

2

: something that is surveyed

Synonyms of survey

Verb

• interview

Noun

• inspection
• examination
• audit
• scrutiny
• scan

Examples of survey in a Sentence

Verb

A total of 250 city residents were surveyed about the project.

64 percent of the people surveyed said that the economy was doing well.

The teacher surveyed the room.

People were surveying the damage after the storm.

Engineers surveyed the property to see what could be built on it.

Noun

The survey found some surprising tendencies among the population.

We conducted an opinion survey on the issue and found that most people agree.

a survey on American drinking habits

Surveys of each department were conducted earlier this year.

A survey of recent corporate layoffs reveals a new trend in business management.

A new land survey changed the borders of their property.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The court ruling means that the question will not be on the November ballot even though a Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll last week found that 66% of voters surveyed favored it. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 25 June 2026

Ahead of the games, athlete delegations are surveyed about their interest in participating, and they’re then assigned to available seats once aircraft volunteer rosters are finalized, according to Textron Aviation. — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 25 June 2026

Noun

In 1944, a century after the Great Famine, the Irish Folklore Commission undertook a massive survey to collect memories of the time. — Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 18 June 2026

The new findings published Thursday draw on a survey conducted from October to December 2025 — before major recent changes to health policy, like Congress’ Medicaid cuts or its decision not to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, took effect. — ABC News, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French surveer, to look over, from sur- + veer to see — more at view

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing survey

• geodetic survey
• survey course

Rhymes for survey

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

survey

1 of 2 verb

sur·​vey sər-ˈvā 

ˈsər-ˌvā

surveyed; surveying

1

: to look over and examine closely

2

: to find out the size, shape, and position of (as an area of land)

3

: to gather information from or about

4

: to make a survey

survey

2 of 2 noun

sur·​vey ˈsər-ˌvā 

sər-ˈvā

plural surveys

: the act or an instance of surveying or of applying the principles and methods of surveying

also : something that is surveyed