geoid

What is the opposite of geoid? Here is what we hold, with its meaning and related words.

Noun — The theoretical shape the Earth's oceans would take if shaped only by gravity and rotation, ignoring winds, tides and other forces.

We haven't recorded synonyms for geoid yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use geoid

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

the shape of the geoid geoid model geoid height map the geoid

Geoid is a specialist term from geodesy, not something used in everyday speech.

Borrowed from German Geoid, itself built from geo-, meaning earth, and the suffix -oid, meaning shape or form.

What is a geoid used for?

It serves as a reference surface, representing zero elevation, against which land heights can be measured.

How is the geoid different from a sphere?

Unlike a perfect sphere, the geoid follows the Earth's uneven gravity field, so it dips and bulges according to gravitational variations.

Does the geoid follow the shape of continents?

Yes, the geoid's imaginary surface extends underneath landmasses as well as oceans.