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topology

[ tuh-pol-uh-jee ]
/ təˈpɒl ə dʒi /
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noun, plural to·pol·o·gies for 3. Mathematics.
the study of those properties of geometric forms that remain invariant under certain transformations, as bending or stretching.
Also called point set to·pol·o·gy . the study of limits in sets considered as collections of points.
a collection of open sets making a given set a topological space.
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Rarely a·nal·y·sis si·tus [uh-nal-uh-sis sahy-tuhs, see-] /əˈnæl ə sɪs ˈsaɪ təs, ˈsi-/ (for defs. 1, 2) .

Origin of topology

First recorded in 1650–60; topo- + -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM topology

top·o·log·ic [top-uh-loj-ik], /ˌtɒp əˈlɒdʒ ɪk/, top·o·log·i·cal, adjectivetop·o·log·i·cal·ly, adverbto·pol·o·gist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use topology in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for topology

topology
/ (təˈpɒlədʒɪ) /

noun
the branch of mathematics concerned with generalization of the concepts of continuity, limit, etc
a branch of geometry describing the properties of a figure that are unaffected by continuous distortion, such as stretching or knottingFormer name: analysis situs
maths a family of subsets of a given set S, such that S is a topological space
the arrangement and interlinking of computers in a computer network
the study of the topography of a given place, esp as far as it reflects its history
the anatomy of any specific bodily area, structure, or part

Derived forms of topology

topologic (ˌtɒpəˈlɒdʒɪk) or topological, adjectivetopologically, adverbtopologist, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for topology

topology
[ tə-pŏlə-jē ]

The mathematical study of the geometric properties that are not normally affected by changes in the size or shape of geometric figures. In topology, a donut and a coffee cup with a handle are equivalent shapes, because each has a single hole.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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