topography

noun

to·​pog·​ra·​phy tə-ˈpä-grə-fē 

1

a

: the art or practice of graphic delineation in detail usually on maps or charts of natural and man-made features of a place or region especially in a way to show their relative positions and elevations

b

: topographical surveying

2

a

: the configuration of a surface including its relief and the position of its natural and man-made features

b

: the physical or natural features of an object or entity and their structural relationships

the topography of human chromosomes

the political topography of our time

Did you know?

Topography combines top- with graph-, a root meaning "write" or "describe". The topography of the Sahara Desert features shifting sand dunes and dry, rocky mountains. A topographic (or topo) map not only shows the surface features of a region but also indicates the contours and approximate altitude of every location, by means of numerous curving lines, each indicating a single elevation. In other words, it shows a "three-dimensional" picture on a two-dimensional surface. Topo maps are commonly used by hikers, surveyors, government workers, and engineers, among other people.

Synonyms

• chorography
• geography
• geomorphology
• landscape
• terrain

Examples of topography in a Sentence

a map of the topography of the coastline shows a significant loss of wetlands

Recent Examples on the Web

The second commission is a massive tapestry invoking the topography of Mars. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2025

Visually, there is a new front shield with a topography map engraved in it—the Kebnekaise Mountain range in Arctic Sweden, complete with geographical coordinates. —Chad Kirchner, Ars Technica, 26 Feb. 2025

Diverse in topography, the ranch’s elevation extends from 3,600 feet to 5,400 feet. —David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025

Other pieces of information were not presented, such as a rendering showing the topography of the house in relation to the site and an image depicting how the house would look among its neighbors. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English topographie, from Late Latin topographia, from Greek, from topographein to describe a place, from topos place + graphein to write — more at carve

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for topography

• arthrography
• biography
• cartography
• cosmography
• cryptography
• demography
• discography
• echography
• ethnography
• filmography
• geography
• hydrography

Kids Definition

topography

noun

to·​pog·​ra·​phy tə-ˈpäg-rə-fē 

1

: the art or practice of showing on maps or charts the heights and depths of the features of a place

2

: the shape and height and depth of the features of a place

Medical Definition

topography

noun

to·​pog·​ra·​phy tə-ˈpäg-rə-fē 

plural topographies

1

: the physical or natural features of an object or entity and their structural relationships

the topography of the abdomen

the topography (size and fluorescent staining intensity) of human chromosomes

—Science News

2

: regional anatomy