geology

noun

ge·​ol·​o·​gy jē-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce geology (audio)
plural geologies
1
a
: a science that deals with the history of the earth and its life especially as recorded in rocks
b
: a study of the solid matter of a celestial body (such as the moon)
2
: geologic features
the geology of Arizona
3
: a treatise on geology
geologist
jē-ˈä-lə-jist How to pronounce geology (audio)
noun

Examples of geology in a Sentence

learning about the geology of Hawaii
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These included collection managers across disciplines, including anthropology, archaeology, botany, geology, ichthyology, entomology, herpetology and paleontology. — Bradley Wade Bishop, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025 The park’s visitor center gives guests the opportunity to view uncut diamonds and learn about geology. — Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025 This would ensure California researchers could study seismology while their colleagues in Oklahoma specialized in petroleum geology. — Trysh Travis / Made By History, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025 Earthquakes in the magnitude range of 4.0 to 4.9 are generally considered light to moderate, though their effects can vary based on depth, proximity to population centers and local geology, seismologists say. — Daniel Hunt, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for geology

Word History

Etymology

New Latin geologia, from ge- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of geology was in 1735

Rhymes for geology

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geology
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Cite this Entry

“Geology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geology. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

geology

noun
ge·​ol·​o·​gy jē-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce geology (audio)
plural geologies
1
a
: a science that deals with the history of the earth and its life especially as recorded in rocks
b
: a study of the features of a heavenly body (as the moon)
2
: the geologic features (as mountains or plains) of an area
geologic
ˌjē-ə-ˈläj-ik
adjective
or geological
-i-kəl
geologically
-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb
geologist
jē-ˈäl-ə-jəst How to pronounce geology (audio)
noun

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