cartography

[ kahr-tog-ruh-fee ]

noun

1. the production of maps, including construction of projections, design, compilation, drafting, and reproduction.

cartography

/ kɑːˈtɒɡrəfɪ; ˌkɑːtəˈɡræfɪk /

noun

1. the art, technique, or practice of compiling or drawing maps or charts

cartography

/ kär-tŏg′rə-fē /

1. The art or technique of making maps or charts.

Derived Forms

• ˌcartoˈgraphically, adverb
• carˈtographer, noun
• cartographic, adjective

Other Words From

• car·to·graph [kahr, -t, uh, -graf, -grahf], noun
• car·togra·pher noun
• car·to·graph·ic [kahr-t, uh, -, graf, -ik], carto·graphi·cal adjective
• carto·graphi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartography¹

1855–60; < Latin c ( h ) art ( a ) carte + -o- + -graphy

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartography¹

C19: from French cartographie, from carte map, chart

Example Sentences

It requires a passion for cities, urban history and, perhaps, cartography; an affinity for architecture and urban design; a love of community; and a knack for numbers.

From Los Angeles Times

Leanne Abraham is a graphics editor at The Times with a focus on cartography and data visualization.

From New York Times

She holds a master’s degree in cartography and geographic information systems from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

From New York Times

Although not the oldest portolan in existence, it is “an important data point in understanding the evolution of European cartography of the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent waters,” Pflederer said.

From Los Angeles Times

The multimedia British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare made his name with work that tackled colonialism, the subjugation of peoples that enabled the global slave trade and carved a callous cartography across Africa and other continents.

From New York Times

Related Words

• earth science
• geology
• geopolitics
• topography