topology

noun

to·​pol·​o·​gy tə-ˈpä-lə-jē 

tä-

plural topologies

1

: topographic study of a particular place

specifically : the history of a region as indicated by its topography

2

a(1)

: a branch of mathematics concerned with those properties of geometric configurations (such as point sets) which are unaltered by elastic deformations (such as a stretching or a twisting) that are homeomorphisms

(2)

: the set of all open subsets of a topological space

b

: configuration

topology of a molecule

topology of a magnetic field

topologist

tə-ˈpä-lə-jist 

tä-

noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Lens spaces are a particular type of mathematical construction that has long been important in both geometry and topology. —Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 24 Jan. 2023

This type of topology investigates the fundamental traits and limitations of knotted objects. —Sarah Wells, Popular Mechanics, 28 Apr. 2021

For system interconnection, Fujitsu is employing its Tofu 6D Mesh/Torus topology originally created for the K computer. —IEEE Spectrum, 28 June 2018

But for me the more interesting question is the possibility of variation in social network size and topology by individual. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2013

This highly deformable, fast, and long-stroke actuator topology can be utilized for a variety of applications from biomimicry to fully-soft grasping to wearables applications. —IEEE Spectrum, 23 Jan. 2023

Dennis Sullivan won the Abel Prize for his contributions to topology, which included coming up with a new way to classify certain types of manifolds — spaces that look flat on a small scale but are more complicated when examined in their entirety. —Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 22 Dec. 2022

Compare the linear topology of Aboriginals and Amerindians with African Americans. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 8 Aug. 2010

This is really a question of topology - how is it connected up – which also answers the question of whether the universe is finite or infinite. —Mark Trodden, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2012

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Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing topology

• point set topology

• point set topology

Kids Definition

topology

noun

to·​pol·​o·​gy tə-ˈpäl-ə-jē 

: a branch of mathematics concerned with the properties of geometric figures that do not change when the figure is twisted or stretched in certain ways

topological

ˌtäp-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl

ˌtōp-

adjective

topologist

tə-ˈpäl-ə-jist 

noun

Medical Definition

topology

noun

to·​pol·​o·​gy tə-ˈpäl-ə-jē, tä- 

plural topologies

1

: regional anatomy

2

: configuration sense 1

the topology of a molecule

topological

ˌtäp-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

also topologic

-ik