contour

[kon-toor]

noun

1. the outline of a figure or body; the edge or line that defines or bounds a shape or object.

   Synonyms: boundary, form, configuration

2. contour line.

3. Phonetics.,  a distinctive pattern of changes in pitch, stress, or tone extending across all or part of an utterance, especially across a sentence, and contributing to meaning.

verb (used with object)

1. to mark with contour lines.

2. to make or form the contour or outline of.

3. to build (a road, railroad track, etc.) in conformity with the contour of the land.

4. to mold or shape so as to fit a certain configuration.

   cars with seats that are contoured for comfort.

5. to apply foundation and bronzer along the natural bone structure of (the face) to create definition.

   ways to contour your nose.

adjective

1. molded or shaped to fit a particular contour or form.

   contour seats.

2. Agriculture.,  of or used in a system of plowing, cultivating, sowing, etc., along the contour lines of the land in order to trap water runoff and prevent erosion.

contour

/ ˈkɒntʊə /

noun

1. the outline of a mass of land, figure, or body; a defining line

2. 1. See contour line

   2. ( as modifier )

      a contour map

3. (often plural) the shape or surface, esp of a curving form

   the contours of her body were full and round

4. (modifier) shaped to fit the form of something

   a contour chair

5. a rising and falling variation pattern, as in music and intonation

verb

1. to shape so as to form the contour of something

2. to mark contour lines on

3. to construct (a road, railway, etc) to follow the outline of the land

Other Word Forms

• recontour verb (used with object)
• uncontoured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contour¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from French, equivalent to con- + tour “a turn,” modeled on Italian contorno, derivative of contornare “to outline”; con-, tour, turn

Word History and Origins

Origin of contour¹

C17: from French, from Italian contorno, from contornare to sketch, from tornare to _turn

Example Sentences

Silicone butt injections continue to grow in popularity in the U.S. despite the fact that the Food and Drug Administration warns that injectable silicone for body contouring is not FDA-approved and comes with serious dangers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

CEO Albert Bourla and Chris Klomp, head of Medicare, who was leading negotiations for the administration, had met in Washington and reached a handshake agreement on the contours of a drug price deal.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The galleries are simply treated, their blank concrete walls letting us read the lyrical contours that are essential to appreciating Calder’s work.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But Mr Soldin says body contouring is largely seen as cosmetic surgery and a low priority for NHS managers who must decide how to use limited government funding.

Read more on BBC

The Times spoke to four senior UC officials about the deliberations, who explained the contours of the university’s approach.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• curve 
• silhouette