geoid

[ jee-oid ]

noun

1. an imaginary surface that coincides with mean sea level in the ocean and its extension through the continents.
2. the geometric figure formed by this surface, an ellipsoid flattened at the poles.

geoid

/ ˈdʒiːɔɪd /

noun

1. a hypothetical surface that corresponds to mean sea level and extends at the same level under the continents
2. the shape of the earth

geoid

/ jē′oid′ /

1. The hypothetical surface of the Earth that coincides everywhere with mean sea level and is perpendicular, at every point, to the direction of gravity. The geoid is used as a reference surface for astronomical measurements and for the accurate measurement of elevations on the Earth's surface.

Other Words From

• ge·oidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of geoid¹

First recorded in 1880–85, geoid is from the Greek word geoeidḗs earthlike. See geo-, -oid

Example Sentences

It's geoid teah is this; aw've monny a time ta'en a gooid swig aght o' that teah-pot before to-day.

From Project Gutenberg

The west-European and the Russo-Scandinavian meridians indicate another anomaly of the geoid.

From Project Gutenberg

The reduction of triangulation base lines from the geoid to the reference ellipsoid.

From Project Gutenberg

The geoid is defined as the average level of the sea, which is thought of as extended through the continents.

From Project Gutenberg

In physical geodesy, gravimetric data are used for the determination of the geoid and components of deflections of the vertical.

From Project Gutenberg