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

Goals of the Curiosity Rover Although originally planned as a two-year mission, Curiosity continues to investigate Mars’ climate and geology more than a decade later. —Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025

But, as some research will reveal, they were surrounded by experts in a variety of fields, including biology, geology, and natural science. —Will McGough, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

The Yosemite area is no stranger to active geology. —Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025

But take a look around the country’s other major shale plays which do not enjoy the big advantages related to geology and economies of scale that have made the Permian the most active drilling basin for a decade. —David Blackmon, Forbes, 11 Mar. 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