topological

adjective to·po·log·i·cal \ ˌtä-pə-ˈlä-ji-kəl \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of topological

1 : of or relating to topology

2 : being or involving properties unaltered under a homeomorphism

continuity and connectedness are topological properties

—

topologically

play \ˌtä-pə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Recent Examples of topological from the Web

Physicists have also observed topological protection in electromagnetic waves.

— davide castelvecchi, Scientific American, "Physicists Harness Twisted Mathematics to Make Powerful Laser," 5 Feb. 2018
Microsoft's quantum computing efforts are built around a concept called a topological qubit.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Microsoft brings its quantum dev kit to macOS, Linux; new kind of qubit this year," 26 Feb. 2018
These singularities are mathematical holes and also arise in topological insulators.

— george musser, Science | AAAS, "Waves that drive global weather patterns finally explained, thanks to inspiration from bagel-shaped quantum matter," 5 Oct. 2017
The number of extra qubits varies according both to the algorithm and the kind of quantum machine being used; in principle, topological qubits will need far fewer error correcting qubits than other quantum computer designs.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Microsoft makes play for next wave of computing with quantum computing toolkit," 25 Sep. 2017
The molecules are the atomic equivalent of the Borromean rings, a topological curiosity in which three rings intertwine so that removing any one ring causes the other two to fall apart.

— adrian cho, Science | AAAS, "Coolest science ever headed to the space station," 7 Sep. 2017
The topological approach reduces the problem to the barest facts, Marston says: Earth is rotating and has an equator where the Coriolis force switches direction.

— george musser, Science | AAAS, "Waves that drive global weather patterns finally explained, thanks to inspiration from bagel-shaped quantum matter," 5 Oct. 2017
The company is researching the development of a topological qubit.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Microsoft makes play for next wave of computing with quantum computing toolkit," 25 Sep. 2017
Job one for the Equator was a general bathymetric map—an underwater topological survey—of fifty-seven thousand square miles straddling the line of the Seventh Arc.

— bucky mcmahon, Esquire, "If Anyone Finds MH370, It Will Be the Men on This Ship," 14 Sep. 2015

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

First Known Use of topological

1715

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Learn More about topological

See words that rhyme with topological

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up topological? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

topological

Definition of topological

topologically

Recent Examples of topological from the Web

First Known Use of topological

Learn More about topological

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

querulous

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Rather Than': Is It a Conjunction or Preposition?

‘Magnate’ and ‘Magnet’: Poles Apart

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

April 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

True or False?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

'Rather Than': Is It a Conjunction or Preposition?

April 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Janelle Monáe Out as 'Pansexual'

All the Hits

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

topological

Definition of topological

topologically

Recent Examples of topological from the Web

First Known Use of topological

Learn More about topological

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Rather Than': Is It a Conjunction or Preposition?

April 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Janelle Monáe Out as 'Pansexual'

All the Hits

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes