surveying

[ser-vey-ing]

noun

1. the science or scientific method of making surveys of land.

2. the occupation of one who makes land surveys.

3. the act of one who surveys.

   The surveying required nearly two days.

surveying

/ sɜːˈveɪɪŋ /

noun

1. the study or practice of measuring altitudes, angles, and distances on the land surface so that they can be accurately plotted on a map

2. the setting out on the ground of the positions of proposed construction or engineering works

Word History and Origins

Origin of surveying¹

1425–75; late Middle English: act of examining closely; survey, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

"A few seconds later and it all would have fallen on top of me," he told AFP, surveying the ruins of his home in the town of El Cobre.

Read more on Barron's

This summer five Michigan men pleaded guilty to federal charges in a case involving a surveying firm that allegedly falsely obtained DBE status.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This includes everything from surveying and certifying nursing homes to assisting Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries and overseeing contracts or extra payments to rural ambulance providers.

Read more on Salon

It was one of nine ships in the country's small naval fleet, and had been surveying an area of sea floor that had not been mapped in decades when it ran aground.

Read more on BBC

Hirscher was going to care for the dog in his cabin but San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe, who was surveying the damage in the area, took the dog to reunite it with its owner.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• analysis 
• case 
• examination 
• hearing 
• inquiry 
• inspection 
• probe 
• research 
• review 
• scrutiny 
• search 
• study 
• survey