cartography

noun

car·​tog·​ra·​phy kär-ˈtä-grə-fē How to pronounce cartography (audio)
: the science or art of making maps
cartographic adjective
or less commonly cartographical
cartographically adverb

Examples of cartography in a Sentence

She studied cartography in college.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Putting cartography in their hands provides an opportunity for self representation and the dismantling of colonial worldviews and narratives. Katherine Gallardo, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 May 2023 An Iranian state and polity have existed for thousands of years: unlike Iraq and Libya, Iran is not an invention of European postcolonial cartography. Eric S. Edelman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Apr. 2020 If Ocarina of Time and its ilk are guided safaris, Breath of the Wild is more like cartography. Julie Muncy, WIRED, 2 Mar. 2017 This was in the 1980s, when digital cartography was advancing rapidly and civilian GPS systems were on the horizon. Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cartography 

Word History

Etymology

French cartographie, from carte card, map + -graphie -graphy — more at card entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cartography was circa 1847

Dictionary Entries Near cartography

Cite this Entry

“Cartography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartography. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

cartography

noun
car·​tog·​ra·​phy kär-ˈtäg-rə-fē How to pronounce cartography (audio)
: the making of maps
cartographic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cartography

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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