geographer

American  

[jee-og-ruh-fer] / dʒiˈɒg rə fər /

noun

1. a person who specializes in geographical research, delineation, and study.

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Etymology

Origin of geographer

1535–45; < Late Latin geōgraph ( us ) (< Greek geōgráphos, equivalent to geō- geo- + gráphos a writer; see -graph) + -er ¹

Explanation

A geographer specializes in the study of the earth's surface and what happens there, such as changes in landforms, population centers, or environmental interactions. Geography is a common subject studied in schools, from elementary school through college. Those who make it their career, though, are the true geographers. They may write textbooks about geography, or work in the field doing a variety of things. Some geographers collect and analyze satellite data about the earth's surface. Some study human patterns of migration and settlement. Others study landforms, climate, the water cycle, and other natural processes. If it's about what happens on the earth, it's related to a geographer's work.

Example Sentences

Geographer Geoff Boeing, an urban planning postdoc at UC Berkeley, has found a way to represent a city in a handy visual shorthand.

From Slate • Jul. 11, 2018

Deni has been performing under the name Geographer since 2007.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2018

Geographer Jared Diamond of the University of California, Los Angeles, popularized this view in his 2005 bestseller, Collapse.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 10, 2016

Land never seen by human eyes is now being mapped by its photographed reflection on the moisture-filled sky above, said Geographer Paul Siple.

From Time Magazine Archive

The reproduction of The Geographer in his library book was clearer and brighter than the copy of the painting on his box.

From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett