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 near-term hiring plans figure, which came from the firm’s surveying of 124 local employers, also represented a significant recent uptick. —Trevor Bach, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026

Most American cities are organized on an unrelenting grid, an artifact of early European settlers’ simple and unimaginative approach to land surveying and real estate speculation. —Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

Building a name Taliaferro & Browne provides civil and structural engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, inspection and construction support services. —Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026

Counts, who is a senior transportation surveyor and chief of office surveying systems for Caltrans, spearheaded the effort and developed the curriculum for the new bachelor’s degree, which will be offered completely online. —Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 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