surveying

noun

sur·​vey·​ing sər-ˈvā-iŋ 

ˈsər-ˌvā-

: a branch of applied mathematics that is concerned with determining the area of any portion of the earth's surface, the lengths and directions of the bounding lines, and the contour of the surface and with accurately delineating the whole on paper

Examples of surveying in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Geodetic surveyors break into the field with a four-year bachelor’s degree in land surveying or related science from an accredited college or university program. —Julia Korn, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

What To Know In The Economist/YouGov poll surveying over 1,600 U.S. adults from February 16-18, both Trump and Zelensky scored a 47 percent favorable opinion. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025

With only a second surveying the field with the ball at his feet, Awaziem found a pass that split La Paz’s two attackers and barely snuck by a midfielder on a tight string to Mihailovic. —Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025

Meanwhile, young university students did surveying and mapping work on the ground. —Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surveying

• allaying
• arraying
• assaying
• betraying
• bricklaying
• buffeting
• conveying
• crocheting
• decaying
• defraying
• delaying
• dismaying

Kids Definition

surveying

noun

sur·​vey·​ing

sər-ˈvā-iŋ

: a branch of mathematics concerned with finding the area of any part of the earth's surface, the lengths and directions of the boundary lines, and the shape of the surface and with accurately showing the results on paper