topography

noun to·pog·ra·phy \ tə-ˈpä-grə-fē \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of topography

1 a : the art or practice of graphic delineation in detail usually on maps or charts of natural and man-made features of a place or region especially in a way to show their relative positions and elevations

b : topographical surveying

2 a : the configuration of a surface including its relief and the position of its natural and man-made features

b : the physical or natural features of an object or entity and their structural relationships

the topography of human chromosomes

the political topography of our time

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Examples of topography in a Sentence

a map of the topography of the coastline shows a significant loss of wetlands

Recent Examples of topography from the Web

Data about the dimensions and shape of the Mississippi River and surrounding topography were put into a computer and then used to cut the panels.

— rebecca santana, The Christian Science Monitor, "Engineers reconstruct the Mighty Mississippi to predict effects of erosion," 17 Apr. 2018
The map’s topography dates to 1857, revealing an environment that’s been altered by industrialization.

— otis r. taylor jr., San Francisco Chronicle, "Learn about Oakland’s economic divide today by peering into the past," 15 Apr. 2018
Excluding that property would have left the lot unbuildable and inaccessible due to topography, representatives of Artisan Estate Homes, which owns the land, said last month.

— sue kiesewetter, Cincinnati.com, "New subdivision wins approval in West Chester," 13 Apr. 2018
When the property was burned to see what type of topography was available, numerous dunes in one section of the eventual course resembled a glove.

— steve dimeglio, USA TODAY, "Streamsong is unlike any golf resort you'd expect in Florida," 12 Apr. 2018
The flat topography would be molded to create more slopes and visual interest.

— john gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "Design team picked for Detroit's west riverfront park to start with a beach and a band shell," 10 Apr. 2018
The goal of the study was an ambitious one: putting its arms around the changing topography of Jewish giving, a nearly $6 billion-a-year enterprise.

— deborah fineblum, Jewish Journal, "The new face of Jewish philanthropy is innovative, younger and more female," 10 Apr. 2018
If anything, Breath, which makes excellent use of Paris’ low-rise topography, could be read as a warning sign against the dangers of pollution for a city that has seen an alarming increase in toxicity rates over the past years.

— jordan mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Just a Breath Away' ('Dans la brume'): Film Review," 9 Apr. 2018
That’s actually a complex calculation that has to account for the density of ice, snow, and seawater, as well as maps of bedrock topography beneath the ice.

— scott k. johnson, Ars Technica, "Satellite tracking of Antarctica expands view of glacial patchwork," 6 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'topography.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Topography combines top- with graph-, a root meaning "write" or "describe". The topography of the Sahara Desert features shifting sand dunes and dry, rocky mountains. A topographic (or topo) map not only shows the surface features of a region but also indicates the contours and approximate altitude of every location, by means of numerous curving lines, each indicating a single elevation. In other words, it shows a "three-dimensional" picture on a two-dimensional surface. Topo maps are commonly used by hikers, surveyors, government workers, and engineers, among other people.

Origin and Etymology of topography

Middle English topographie, from Late Latin topographia, from Greek, from topographein to describe a place, from topos place + graphein to write — more at carve

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

topography Synonyms

Synonyms

geography, geomorphology, landscape, terrain;

Related Words

scenery;

ground, land, landform, terrane, terrene;

Other Cartography Terms

Robinson projection, benchmark, plat, projection

TOPOGRAPHY Defined for English Language Learners

topography

noun

Definition of topography for English Language Learners

: the art or science of making maps that show the height, shape, etc., of the land in a particular area
: the features (such as mountains and rivers) in an area of land