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

In the floor, look for ancient snail fossils that were embedded in the stone eons ago and included by builders to highlight Maryland’s coastal geology. —Charles Babington, New York Times, 21 May 2025

Seismic waves from earthquakes spread more efficiently in the Eastern U.S. compared to the West because of the region's geology, said USGS spokeswoman Ayesha Davis. —CBS News, 10 May 2025

The geology students were accompanied by Jesse Kelsch, an assistant professor at the university, and Thomas Shiller, an associate professor. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2025

Even the geology of the islands seemed to make a difference! —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for geology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology

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