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
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 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.
Examples of topography in a Sentencea map of the topography of the coastline shows a significant loss of wetlands
Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. Image An untitled oil painting by George Morrison from 1965 charts two-dimensional topographies dissected by grid lines. —Petala Ironcloud, New York Times, 1 May 2025 Set across just over an acre of terraced land, the 6,400-square-foot glass and steel home was designed to follow the natural topography, its long, linear volumes blending into the hillside. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2025 When Dietrich changed the nutrients in the growth medium — providing a different sugar source, less protein or more salt — an entirely different topography emerged. —Carrie Arnold, Quanta Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025 Given the lack of trees or other sources of shade on the moon, the key factor here is topography. —Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for topography Word HistoryEtymology
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 Cite this Entry“Topography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topography. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Last Updated: 4 May 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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