surveying

noun

sur·​vey·​ing sər-ˈvā-iŋ 

ˈsər-ˌvā-

: a branch of applied mathematics that is concerned with determining the area of any portion of the earth's surface, the lengths and directions of the bounding lines, and the contour of the surface and with accurately delineating the whole on paper

Examples of surveying in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The funds would come from the Commodity Credit Corporation, a funding initiative through the federal agency, and would go toward tracing, surveying and trapping response programs for the next three years. — Lizzie Kane june 18, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026

Typically, the roads were planned out by simply drawing a line on a map between one point and another, with little to no surveying of the actual terrain. — Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 18 June 2026

The plane is a single-engine turboprop model that's popular for skydiving but has also proven useful for other uses, including cargo, aerial surveying, and medical evacuation flights. — CBS News, 14 June 2026

Researchers also hope future robotic systems could assist with waste collection, glacier monitoring, search-and-rescue operations, and environmental surveying in the Everest region. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surveying

• allaying
• arraying
• assaying
• betraying
• bricklaying
• buffeting
• conveying
• crocheting
• decaying
• defraying
• delaying
• dismaying

Kids Definition

surveying

noun

sur·​vey·​ing

sər-ˈvā-iŋ

: a branch of mathematics concerned with finding the area of any part of the earth's surface, the lengths and directions of the boundary lines, and the shape of the surface and with accurately showing the results on paper