contour
the outline of a figure or body; the edge or line that defines or bounds a shape or object.
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.
to mark with contour lines.
to make or form the contour or outline of.
to build (a road, railroad track, etc.) in conformity with the contour of the land.
to mold or shape so as to fit a certain configuration: cars with seats that are contoured for comfort.
to apply foundation and bronzer along the natural bone structure of (the face) to create definition: ways to contour your nose.
molded or shaped to fit a particular contour or form: contour seats.
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.
Origin of contour
1Other words for contour
Other words from contour
- re·con·tour, verb (used with object)
- un·con·toured, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use contour in a sentence
A narrow passage contoured a pine-dotted hill, with a tiny turnaround visible about a half-mile ahead.
An Off-Grid Test of Airstream's Most Rugged Trailer | Hayden Coplen | November 22, 2020 | Outside OnlineIn other words, Followers, Likes and re-Grams can be a practice-run for navigating the professional status-seeking that, for better or worse, contours our adult experience.
My kids are on screens more than ever during the pandemic. Here’s why I’m not panicking. | Jordan Shapiro | November 5, 2020 | Washington PostThe first half of this movie is soothing, with its familiar contours of the finding-yourself-in-the-woods genre.
'Save Yourselves!' Is a Surprisingly Fun Disaster Movie | Erin Berger | October 19, 2020 | Outside OnlineAn adjustable strap allows you to fit the mask around your head accordingly and the nose portion will contour comfortably around your face.
The best products for a better night’s sleep | PopSci Commerce Team | September 30, 2020 | Popular-ScienceIt does not have the boundaries or the contours of the state.
Stillwell commenced a contoured plane-table survey of the neighbourhood of Winter Quarters.
The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas MawsonContoured: An irregular but smoothly undulating surface, resembling the surface of a relief map.
The Elements of Bacteriological Technique | John William Henry EyreA boar's head contoured in the recognizable shape but with tusks only made of pizza was a favourite alternative.
The Land of Look Behind | Paul Cameron BrownEach vesicle is lined by an epithelium of cells provided with doubly contoured membranes, and containing nuclei.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4) | Francis Maitland BalfourPores regular, circular, about as broad as the bars, double contoured.
British Dictionary definitions for contour
/ (ˈkɒntʊə) /
the outline of a mass of land, figure, or body; a defining line
See contour line
(as modifier): a contour map
(often plural) the shape or surface, esp of a curving form: the contours of her body were full and round
(modifier) shaped to fit the form of something: a contour chair
a rising and falling variation pattern, as in music and intonation
to shape so as to form the contour of something
to mark contour lines on
to construct (a road, railway, etc) to follow the outline of the land
Origin of contour
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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