topography

noun

to·pog·ra·phy tə-ˈpä-grə-fē

: 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

: topographical surveying

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

: 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

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.

Example Sentences

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

Recent Examples on the Web Both tidal movement and Greenland’s topography help determine how rapidly the island’s ice cover is moving toward the ocean. —

IEEE Spectrum, 27 Jan. 2023 The Gulf’s seafloor topography features a more even and gentle slope than areas already under consideration for development off the coast of Virginia. —

Hugh Daigle, The Conversation, 16 Aug. 2022 The Gulf’s seafloor topography features a more even and gentle slope than areas already under consideration for development off the coast of Virginia. —

Michael E. Webber, Chron, 16 Aug. 2022 Also, dryness and mountain topography make prescribed fire much more difficult than in Florida. —

Richard Mertens, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 May 2022 This is also the geographic nexus where Southeast topography collides with that of the Southwest—the landscape is studded with prickly pear cacti, mesquite, pecan trees, and wildflowers in a kaleidoscope of colors. —

Matt Kirouac, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2022 The topography levels out long enough for a classic New England town common, before rising up again in places to cliffs offering unobstructed views of Penobscot Bay and a place for a squat white lighthouse. —

Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2022 Further, much of that topography has been ravaged by decades or more of strip mining. —

Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 14 Feb. 2023 Similar binaries and similar extremes and similar choices are at the heart of The Lying Life of Adults, which is built around the potent visual theme of Naples’ varied topography. —

Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Jan. 2023 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of topography was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century