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surface area

American  
[sur-fis air-ee-uh] / ˈsɜr fɪs ˌɛər i ə /

noun

surface areas plural
  1. the total space occupied by all surfaces or faces of an object.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of surface area

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It said the total area corresponded to "only 0.18 percent of Turkey's surface area", denouncing efforts to "tarnish the mining sector".

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Children also have higher respiratory rates than adults, as well as larger lung surface area relative to their body size, resulting in higher doses of pollution per breath.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Small meatballs cook faster, yes, but more importantly, they offer more browning surface area.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

Respiratory turbinates are thin, scroll shaped bones inside the nasal cavity that increase surface area, allowing blood and air to exchange heat more efficiently.

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2026

The increased surface area will get the heat into the air better.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

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