noun
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the study or practice of measuring altitudes, angles, and distances on the land surface so that they can be accurately plotted on a map
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the setting out on the ground of the positions of proposed construction or engineering works
Etymology
Origin of surveying
1425–75; late Middle English: act of examining closely; see survey, -ing 1
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.
“We lost our beaches and our trails within two weeks,” resident Rebecca Schwarz lamented as she stood with her partner, Todd, and their border collie, Bodie, surveying the Norte fire’s damage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026
Scientists surveying underwater mountains off Costa Rica have identified a remarkable new coral that is unlike any known coral family.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
The road could have to remain closed into next week as "detailed surveying" works continue, according to local councillor Chrissie Gillies.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
It also turns the leaders of the AI companies into Lewis and Clark in coonskin caps with parchment maps, bravely surveying our country that it might understand its true size.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
“Sometimes he prefers to be out in the fields. Like he’s surveying the land. Watching over it. I told your mother you need to see the landscape for yourself to decide what to do.”
From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
