topography
tuh-POG-ruh-fee
/təˈpɒɡrəfi/
The arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area.
Specifically refers to the 'relief' or the three-dimensional quality of the land (hills, valleys, etc.).
The story behind the word. From the Greek 'topos' (place). In ancient times, a 'topographia' was a description of a specific place, often used in literature before it became a technical term for land surveying.
Word relationships
- terrain: Terrain is the physical character of the land; topography is the detailed mapping or description of that character.
- relief: Relief specifically refers to the difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points.
Commonly confused with
- topology: Topology is a branch of mathematics dealing with properties preserved under deformation; topography is about physical land features.
Word family
- topographical (adjective): Relating to the arrangement of the physical features of an area.
- topographer (noun): An expert in topography.
Collocations
- rugged topography
- underwater topography
- topography map
Example sentences
- "The topography of the country was rugged and difficult to traverse." Historical exploration
- "The engineers studied the topography of the site before planning the new highway." Engineering
Memory hook
The 'Top' of the 'Graph' shows the mountains. Place writing.
When not to use
Do not use to describe the climate or culture of a place, only its physical shape.
Fun facts
- Topographic maps use 'contour lines' to show elevation; the closer the lines, the steeper the slope.
Related words
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