physical geography

American  

noun

1. the branch of geography concerned with natural features and phenomena of the earth's surface, as landforms, drainage features, climates, soils, and vegetation.

---

physical geography British  

noun

1. the branch of geography that deals with the natural features of the earth's surface

---

physical geography Scientific  

1. The scientific study of the natural features of the Earth's surface, especially in its current aspects, including land formation, climate, currents, and distribution of flora and fauna.

2. Also called physiography

---

Etymology

Origin of physical geography

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Yet the recent weaponization of supply chains has offered a stark reminder that rather than erasing physical geography, the era of hyperconnectivity has turned it into a possibly more potent weapon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

"There's a lack of policy regarding the environmental impacts of these megaconstellations," Dr. Connor Barker, a research fellow in atmospheric chemistry and physical geography at University College London, told Salon in a video interview.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2025

The majority of sightings were in western parts of the U.S. due to the region's physical geography -- lots of wide-open spaces and dark skies.

From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2024

"Satellites are great for finding the really big, massive culprits" of methane emissions, said Peter Thorne, professor of physical geography at Maynooth University in Ireland.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2024

This letter I will devote to a subject, naturally arising from the preceding, perhaps not entirely without interest—I mean the physical geography and geology of this state.

From The South-West By a Yankee. In Two Volumes. Volume 2 by Ingraham, Jonathon Holt