topography

/təˈpɒɡrəfi/ (bre, ipa) · [təpˈɑɡrəfi] /təˈpɑːɡrəfi/ (ame, ipa) · [təpˈɑɡrəfi] /tə-ˈpä-grə-fē How to pronounce topography (audio)/ (ame, mw)

topography — noun

1. the pattern of hills, valleys, water, roads, and other features across a place,

1.名詞C1
釋義

the pattern of hills, valleys, water, roads, and other features across a place, with attention to how the ground rises, drops, and bends.

例句

Hikers studied the island's topography before choosing the safest trail inland.

collocation: study the topography

Heavy rain changed the topography when deep channels cut across the field.

surface changes after erosion

同義詞
  • terrain

    often emphasizes ground conditions that affect travel or movement

  • landscape

    often refers to how a place looks as a whole, not only its surface form

  • relief

    more technical; focuses on differences in height across the land

用法筆記

Usually uncountable. Use this sense for the shape and layout of land itself, especially in travel, building, flooding, or military planning.

常見錯誤

❌The brochure described the topography of the hotel rooms.
✅The brochure described the layout of the hotel rooms.
💡'topography' is normally used for land or broad surfaces, not the arrangement inside a room.

2. the work or subject of measuring and describing land features so their shape, he

2.名詞C2
釋義

the work or subject of measuring and describing land features so their shape, height, and position can be recorded accurately in map or chart form.

例句

Ada learned topography while training to survey mountain roads for the army.

topography as survey training

The museum shows how early sailors used topography to draw coastal charts.

mapping land onto charts

同義詞
  • surveying

    focuses more on measuring land directly in the field

  • cartography

    focuses more on making maps than on measuring the ground

用法筆記

Usually uncountable and most common in surveying, military, or academic contexts. This sense names the practice or subject, not the land shape itself.

常見錯誤

❌She studied topography to learn about weather and population only.
✅She studied geography to learn about weather and population.
💡'topography' is narrower and centers on mapping and surface form.