cartography

IPA/kɑːˈtɒɡrəfi/
IPA/kɑːrˈtɑːɡrəfi/

cartography — noun

1. the work and study of creating maps and deciding how places, distances, and othe

1.nounC2
Definition

the work and study of creating maps and deciding how places, distances, and other details should appear on them.

Example

Yuna studied cartography before joining a team that updates hiking maps.

study cartography as a field

Digital cartography helped rescue crews share flood maps on one screen.

digital cartography in rescue work

Common collocations
  • digital cartography
  • study cartography
  • cartography course
  • history of cartography
Synonyms
  • mapping

    broader and often used for the practical act of recording where things are

  • mapmaking

    more direct and everyday; stresses producing a map itself

  • surveying

    focuses more on measuring land or positions before a map is made

Usage Note

Usually uncountable. Common in academic, museum, surveying, and GIS contexts, and it names the field or practice rather than one individual map.

Common Mistakes

I folded the cartography and put it in my bag.
I folded the map and put it in my bag.
'cartography' names the subject or practice of making maps, not a single paper map.

Word family

  • cartographer
    nounC2
  • cartographic
    adjectiveC2
  • cartographically
    adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Cartography' names the field of making maps and deciding how information should be shown on them. 'Mapping' is broader and often more practical, so people use it for recording where things are, even outside formal map design. 'Mapmaking' is the clearest everyday alternative and stresses the hands-on work of producing a finished map. 'Surveying' usually comes earlier in the process and focuses on measuring land or positions accurately before the map is drawn. A university may offer a cartography course, a reporter may map flood damage, a designer may work in mapmaking, and an engineer may begin with field surveying.

cartography ↗mapping ↗mapmakingsurveying ↗

Etymology

FrenchAncient GreekEnglish

The word reached English through French and combines older parts meaning 'map' and 'writing' or 'description'. It first referred to the practice of drawing and describing maps, and it now names the field concerned with how maps are designed and made.

First known use

1847

1847, in the meaning defined above