hydrography

[ hahy-drog-ruh-fee ]

noun

1. the science of the measurement, description, and mapping of the surface waters of the earth, with special reference to their use for navigation.
2. those parts of a map, collectively, that represent surface waters.

hydrography

/ haɪˈdrɒɡrəfɪ /

noun

1. the study, surveying, and mapping of the oceans, seas, and rivers Compare hydrology
2. the oceans, seas, and rivers as represented on a chart

hydrography

/ hī-drŏg′rə-fē /

1. The scientific description and analysis of the physical characteristics of Earth's surface waters, including temperature, salinity, oxygen saturation, and the chemical content of water. Oceanography (the study of saltwater bodies) and limnology (the study of freshwater bodies) are subsets of hydrography.
2. The mapping of bodies of water.

Derived Forms

• hyˈdrographer, noun

Other Words From

• hy·drogra·pher noun
• hy·dro·graph·ic [hahy-dr, uh, -, graf, -ik], hydro·graphi·cal adjective
• hydro·graphi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydrography¹

First recorded in 1550–60; hydro- ¹ + -graphy

Example Sentences

Remarks upon some errors in the hydrography of the south coast of Van Diemen's Land.

From Project Gutenberg

The Admiral is director of the department of hydrography, and has charge of the magnificent archives of the Admiralty.

From Project Gutenberg

There are also communal colleges, a national school of music, and schools of hydrography, commerce and industry.

From Project Gutenberg

Hatchette had been professor of hydrography at Collioure; his friends from Roussillon recommended me to him.

From Project Gutenberg

He first defined the geography of Tsaidam, and mapped the hydrography of that remarkable region, from which Russian explorers.

From Project Gutenberg