gazetteer

[gaz-i-teer]

noun

1. a geographical dictionary.

2. Archaic.,  a journalist, especially one appointed and paid by the government.

gazetteer

/ ˌɡæzɪˈtɪə /

noun

1. gaz. a book or section of a book that lists and describes places

2. archaic,  a writer for a gazette or newspaper; journalist

Word History and Origins

Origin of gazetteer¹

First recorded in 1605–15; gazette + -eer

Example Sentences

A hundred years later, the palace would not appear in Song dynasty gazetteers.

From New York Times

I have a gazetteer in the car, and when that fails, I ask people for directions.

From Seattle Times

I’m carrying my favorite gazetteer, discovered in a book store in nearby Rochester on a previous foray: Colonel W. Laurence Gadd’s “The Great Expectations Country,” published in 1929 and long out of print.

From New York Times

In the days before satellite mapping or even gazetteers, he navigates to out-of-the way cemeteries using simple maps and notes filed away in a recipe box stored in the “date-cut truck.”

From Washington Times

Ted Gartner, a Garmin spokesman, said that the new corporate owner will not only continue publishing them but will be enhancing the gazetteers in coming months and years.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• archive 
• catalog 
• directory 
• inventory 
• prospectus