topography
tuh-POG-ruh-fee
Topography (noun) means the physical shape and features of an area of land, such as its hills, valleys, and rivers. Example: “The region's rugged topography made building roads difficult.”
noun
1
The physical shape and features of an area of land, such as its hills, valleys, and rivers.
"The region's rugged topography made building roads difficult."
"Surveyors mapped the topography of the site before construction began."
How to use topography
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe lay of the land — its hills, slopes, and other surface features.
Common pairings
local topography
topography of the region
topography map
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Word forms
- Plural
- topographies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The region's rugged _____ made building roads difficult.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek topographia, from tópos ("place") and gráphō ("to write, describe").
Rhymes for topography
geography
biography
demography
tomography
ideography
lithography
iconography
mammography
discography
paleography
photography
pornography
See all rhymes for topography →
Frequently asked questions
What does “topography” mean?
The word “topography” means the physical shape and features of an area of land, such as its hills, valleys, and rivers. In plain terms, the lay of the land — its hills, slopes, and other surface features.
How do you pronounce “topography”?
“Topography” is pronounced tuh-POG-ruh-fee (/təˈpɑɡɹəfi/ in IPA).
How do you use “topography” in a sentence?
Here is “topography” used in a sentence: “The region's rugged topography made building roads difficult.”
What part of speech is “topography”?
“Topography” is a noun.
Where does the word “topography” come from?
The word “topography” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek topographia, from tópos ("place") and gráphō ("to write, describe").
Is “topography” a common word?
“Topography” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
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