topography

[tuh-pog-ruh-fee]

noun

plural

topographies 

1. the detailed mapping or charting of the features of a relatively small area, district, or locality.

2. the detailed description, especially by means of surveying, of particular localities, as cities, towns, or estates.

3. the relief features or surface configuration of an area.

4. the features, relations, or configuration of a structural entity.

5. a schema of a structural entity, as of the mind, a field of study, or society, reflecting a division into distinct areas having a specific relation or a specific position relative to one another.

topography

/ ˌtɒpəˈɡræfɪk, təˈpɒɡrəfɪ /

noun

1. the study or detailed description of the surface features of a region

2. the detailed mapping of the configuration of a region

3. the land forms or surface configuration of a region

4. the surveying of a region's surface features

5. the study or description of the configuration of any object

topography

1. The three-dimensional arrangement of physical attributes (such as shape, height, and depth) of a land surface in a place or region. Physical features that make up the topography of an area include mountains, valleys, plains, and bodies of water. Human-made features such as roads, railroads, and landfills are also often considered part of a region's topography.

2. The detailed description or drawing of the physical features of a place or region, especially in the form of contour maps.

Other Word Forms

• topographic adjective
• topographical adjective
• topographer noun
• topographically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of topography¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English topographye, from Late Latin topographia, from Greek topographía; topo-, -graphy

Example Sentences

That’s all on top of the fact that the topography is steep and rugged.

From Los Angeles Times

Fire officials, in a briefing Sunday, explained that the blaze had crossed Dinkey Creek and was driven rapidly uphill due to the steep topography and shifts in weather.

From Los Angeles Times

Fortifications are certainly part of the Ukrainian defence but so is the topography.

From BBC

“The windows respond to the different views and interesting topography of Los Angeles,” Yi says.

From Los Angeles Times

Neighborhoods and topography along the route differ and so does the planned development.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contour