areal

American  

[air-ee-uhl] / ˈɛər i əl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the extent of a bounded surface or two-dimensional space.

   The evaporation model was applied to surfaces of overgrown water having up to 15% areal plant cover.

2. of or relating to a particular geographical region.

   Heavy rainfall produced areal flooding in the county, leaving several dirt roads washed out and a few county roads closed.

3. of or relating to a particular field of study.

   Topical and areal strengths of the Anthropology department include cultural politics, economic anthropology, historical archaeology, and Latin American studies.

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Other Word Forms

• areally adverb

Etymology

Origin of areal

First recorded in 1670–70; from Latin āreālis, from āre(a) “vacant piece of level ground, open space in a town, threshing floor” + -ālis -al ¹ ( def. ); area ( def. )

Example Sentences

“Our focus is really on improving areal density.”

From Barron's • Jan. 2, 2026

Moreover, the research found that elevated TOC concentrations were observed in a region where a larger areal fraction of rice paddy fields surrounding agricultural reservoirs.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2024

The NHC said heavy rainfall in the region could worsen ongoing minor to isolated moderate river flooding over northern Florida and lead to lead to areal, urban and small stream flooding.

From Fox News • Aug. 13, 2021

Local mayors posted videos pleading for areal firefighting responses to wildfires in their areas while celebrities joined a social media campaign requesting foreign help to combat the blazes.

From Washington Times • Aug. 3, 2021

“Eben McAllister, are you dumb as a post? This isn’t some regular old ship in a bottle. This is areal live ship with a cargo of pure and terrible evil!”

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

Related Words

• provincial