usgs

IPA/ˈʌsɡz/
IPA/ˈʌsɡz/

usgs — noun

1. a US government science agency that studies and maps the country's land features

1.nounB2
Definition

a US government science agency that studies and maps the country's land features, monitors earthquakes, volcanoes, and water resources, and provides data for environmental planning

Example

The USGS published a new map showing earthquake risks along the West Coast.

attributive: USGS + noun (USGS map)

Rohan checked the USGS website for river levels before his fishing trip.

Grammar Patterns

the USGS + verb

USGS + noun (attributive)

Usage Note

Almost always used with the definite article (the USGS), except when it modifies another noun (USGS report, USGS scientist). Common in news coverage of earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and land-resource issues.

Common Mistakes

According to USGS, the earthquake...
According to the USGS, the earthquake...
the definite article 'the' is almost always used before the abbreviation.

Common collocations

Nouns

Etymology

Englishabbreviation

USGS is an abbreviation for United States Geological Survey, a government agency created by the U.S. Congress in 1879. The word 'geological' comes from the Greek 'geo' (earth) and 'logia' (study of), while 'survey' comes from Latin 'supervidere' (to oversee). The agency was founded to systematically map the nation's land and study its geology and natural resources.