surveying

[ser-vey-ing]

noun

1. the science or scientific method of making surveys of land.

2. the occupation of one who makes land surveys.

3. the act of one who surveys.

   The surveying required nearly two days.

surveying

/ sɜːˈveɪɪŋ /

noun

1. the study or practice of measuring altitudes, angles, and distances on the land surface so that they can be accurately plotted on a map

2. the setting out on the ground of the positions of proposed construction or engineering works

Word History and Origins

Origin of surveying¹

1425–75; late Middle English: act of examining closely; survey, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

"I discovered the species while surveying a rare plant in the Goldfields and noticed this bee visiting both the endangered wildflower and a nearby mallee tree," Dr. Prendergast said.

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When Atlanta officials began surveying the area, they could scarcely find a store that sold any fresh food other than the occasional banana.

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The floating Tara Polar Station, which will start surveying the Arctic next year, will not scan Russian waters due to the tense geopolitical situation, the director of the foundation behind the project told AFP Wednesday.

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The concert hall is not too far from City Hall so we could hear the helicopters surveying the area.

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics this week usually would be surveying households on their employment status for the jobs report that would be released in early December.

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Related Words

• analysis 
• case 
• examination 
• hearing 
• inquiry 
• inspection 
• probe 
• research 
• review 
• scrutiny 
• search 
• study 
• survey