survey

¹

[ verb ser-vey; noun sur-vey, ser-vey ]

verb (used with object)

1. to take a general or comprehensive view of or appraise, as a situation, area of study, etc.
2. to view in detail, especially to inspect, examine, or appraise formally or officially in order to ascertain condition, value, etc.
3. to conduct a survey of or among:

   to survey TV viewers.

4. to determine the exact form, boundaries, position, extent, etc., of (a tract of land, section of a country, etc.) by linear and angular measurements and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry.

verb (used without object)

1. to survey land; practice surveying.

noun

, plural sur·veys.

1. an act or instance of surveying or of taking a comprehensive view of something:

   The course is a survey of Italian painting.

2. a formal or official examination of the particulars of something, made in order to ascertain condition, character, etc.
3. a statement or description embodying the result of this:

   They presented their survey to the board of directors.

4. a sampling, or partial collection, of facts, figures, or opinions taken and used to approximate or indicate what a complete collection and analysis might reveal:

   The survey showed the percentage of the population that planned to vote.

5. the act of determining the exact form, boundaries, position, etc., as of a tract of land or section of a country, by linear measurements, angular measurements, etc.
6. the plan or description resulting from such an operation.
7. an agency for making determinations:

   U.S. Geological Survey.

survey.

²

abbreviation for

1. surveying.

survey

verb

1. tr to view or consider in a comprehensive or general way

   to survey the situation

2. tr to examine carefully, as or as if to appraise value

   to survey oneself in a mirror

3. to plot a detailed map of (an area of land) by measuring or calculating distances and height
4. to inspect a building to determine its condition and value
5. to examine a vessel thoroughly in order to determine its seaworthiness
6. tr to run a statistical survey on (incomes, opinions, etc)

noun

1. a comprehensive or general view

   a survey of English literature

2. a critical, detailed, and formal inspection

   a survey of the nation's hospitals

3. an inspection of a building to determine its condition and value
4. a report incorporating the results of such an inspection
5. 1. a body of surveyors
   2. an area surveyed
6. statistics a random sample

Derived Forms

• surˈveyable, adjective

Other Words From

• sur·veya·ble adjective
• pre·survey noun
• presur·vey verb (used with object)
• self-survey noun
• self-sur·veyed adjective
• unsur·veya·ble adjective
• unsur·veyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of survey¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English surveien (verb), from Anglo-French surveier, Middle French surv(e)ier, surveoir “to oversee,” from sur- sur- ¹ + v(e)ier “to see” (from Latin vidēre; video ( def ), vision ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of survey¹

C15: from French surveoir, from sur- ¹+ veoir to see, from Latin vidēre

Example Sentences

In two public surveys conducted as part of the research, Keserű said, participants were outraged and felt exploited in scenarios where their health data were sold for a profit without their knowledge.

From Los Angeles Times

For the model, a subset of these variables was carefully selected using a combination of data-driven methods and clinician input, gathered through a survey of expert pediatric neurosurgeons nationwide.

From Science Daily

In its latest annual survey, Atomico takes stock of how far the ecosystem has grown — and the challenges still holding it back, including regulatory concerns and access to later-stage capital.

From New York Times

A preelection survey from the Wall Street Journal found most economists believed inflation and interest rates would be higher under policies proposed by Trump than Vice President Kamala Harris.

From Los Angeles Times

This study surveyed the breastfeeding practices of a large and diverse sample of U.S. mothers across various regions, income levels, and racial/ethnic backgrounds.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• assess
• canvass
• check
• check out
• estimate
• evaluate
• examine
• inspect
• look over
• observe
• overlook
• oversee
• review
• scan
• supervise