topography

[ tuh-pog-ruh-fee ]

noun

, plural to·pog·ra·phies.

1. the detailed mapping or charting of the features of a relatively small area, district, or locality.
2. the detailed description, especially by means of surveying, of particular localities, as cities, towns, or estates.
3. the relief features or surface configuration of an area.
4. the features, relations, or configuration of a structural entity.
5. a schema of a structural entity, as of the mind, a field of study, or society, reflecting a division into distinct areas having a specific relation or a specific position relative to one another.

topography

/ ˌtɒpəˈɡræfɪk; təˈpɒɡrəfɪ /

noun

1. the study or detailed description of the surface features of a region
2. the detailed mapping of the configuration of a region
3. the land forms or surface configuration of a region
4. the surveying of a region's surface features
5. the study or description of the configuration of any object

topography

/ tə-pŏg′rə-fē /

1. The three-dimensional arrangement of physical attributes (such as shape, height, and depth) of a land surface in a place or region. Physical features that make up the topography of an area include mountains, valleys, plains, and bodies of water. Human-made features such as roads, railroads, and landfills are also often considered part of a region's topography.
2. The detailed description or drawing of the physical features of a place or region, especially in the form of contour maps .

Derived Forms

• topographic, adjective
• toˈpographer, noun
• ˌtopoˈgraphically, adverb

Other Words From

• top·o·graph·ic [top-, uh, -, graf, -ik], top·o·graph·i·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of topography¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English topographye, from Late Latin topographia, from Greek topographía; topo-, -graphy

Example Sentences

In Guerrero, a series of brazen violent acts emphasized the chaotic nature of the state’s criminal topography, where a dense network of gangs compete for the right to sell drugs and extort money from business owners.

From Los Angeles Times

“Issues such as difficult topography, access to land or cost can all have an impact on how far we can go within a telephone exchange area but I’m delighted that these potential pitfalls have been crossed thanks to team work.”

From BBC

Storm surges are worse at high tide and other factors contribute to the water level too, such as the direction of approach, size and speed of the storm, central pressure and topography of the coastline.

From BBC

As A83 moved, it changed the ice topography, meaning the penguins’ breeding site is now “more exposed”, Peter says.

From BBC

Unlike fires that grow based on topography or that follow the path of fuel they’re burning, extreme wind-driven fires are notoriously difficult to contain until winds die down.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contour