topo-

American  

1. a combining form meaning “place,” “local,” used in the formation of compound words.

   topography; topology.

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topo- ¹ British  

combining form

1. indicating place or region

   topography

   topology

   toponym

   topotype

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topo ² British  

/ ˈtɒpəʊ /

noun

1. mountaineering a picture of a mountain with details of climbing routes superimposed on it

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Usage

What does topo- mean? Topo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “place” or "local." It is often used in scientific and other technical terms.Topo- comes from the Greek tópos, meaning “place” or “commonplace.” Commonplace? Yep, discover why at our entry here. The word topic also ultimately comes from the Greek tópos.What are variants of topo-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, topo- becomes top-, as in topalgia.

Etymology

Origin of topo-

Combining form of Greek tópos place, commonplace

Example Sentences

“So these loops are elevation lines. A topo map shows the contours of the land, from the highest mountain peak to the lowest valley. Think of it as 3D on a 2D piece of paper.”

From Literature

A favorite from a few years back: a heavy pour of local apple cider, the juice of a lemon, the juice of an orange, enough Topo Chico to make the punch bowl hiss, and citrus-herb ice cubes—twigs of rosemary, wheels of citrus, frozen in place like tiny stained-glass windows.

From Salon

“I do see this Legislature finally coming around and pursuing laws that majority of Californians see as serious crimes that should’ve been felonies all along,” said Topo Padilla, board member of Crime Victims United.

From Los Angeles Times

But defense attorney Sabrina Shroff said Guo was not guilty of any of the dozen charges lodged against him since his March 2023 arrest, a decade after he left China in 2014 during a crackdown on corruption that ensnared individuals close to him, including a topo intelligence official.

From Seattle Times

In “El Topo,” his hypnotic 1970 western, Jodorowsky himself plays a gunslinger traversing an arid landscape filled with peculiar denizens.

From Los Angeles Times