geology

noun

ge·​ol·​o·​gy jē-ˈä-lə-jē 

plural geologies

1

a

: a science that deals with the history of the earth and its life especially as recorded in rocks

b

: a study of the solid matter of a celestial body (such as the moon)

2

: geologic features

the geology of Arizona

3

: a treatise on geology

geologist

jē-ˈä-lə-jist 

noun

Examples of geology in a Sentence

learning about the geology of Hawaii

Recent Examples on the Web

While exploring the cool caverns and passageways below the surface of the Earth, guests learn about the geology, history, and wildlife of the caves (the latter includes the rare ghost shrimp). —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 6 Dec. 2024

He was fascinated with the way things were assembled and considered studying architecture or geology. —Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 7 Nov. 2024

The Apollo missions alone brought back more than 800 pounds of lunar material — rocks, dust, and soil — from six different sites, which have been instrumental in shaping our understanding of the Moon’s geology. —Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024

This local solution is also helpful when considering all the countries and regions hesitant to store carbon underground due to high transport costs or uncertain geology. —Mark Le Dain, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin geologia, from ge- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

geology

noun

ge·​ol·​o·​gy jē-ˈäl-ə-jē 

plural geologies

1

a

: a science that deals with the history of the earth and its life especially as recorded in rocks

b

: a study of the features of a heavenly body (as the moon)

2

: the geologic features (as mountains or plains) of an area

geologic

ˌjē-ə-ˈläj-ik

adjective

or geological

-i-kəl

geologically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

geologist

jē-ˈäl-ə-jəst 

noun