survey

¹

[ser-vey, sur-vey, ser-vey]

verb (used with object)

1. to take a general or comprehensive view of or appraise, as a situation, area of study, etc.

2. to view in detail, especially to inspect, examine, or appraise formally or officially in order to ascertain condition, value, etc.

3. to conduct a survey of or among.

   to survey TV viewers.

4. to determine the exact form, boundaries, position, extent, etc., of (a tract of land, section of a country, etc.) by linear and angular measurements and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry.

verb (used without object)

1. to survey land; practice surveying.

noun

plural

surveys 

1. an act or instance of surveying or of taking a comprehensive view of something.

   The course is a survey of Italian painting.

2. a formal or official examination of the particulars of something, made in order to ascertain condition, character, etc.

3. a statement or description embodying the result of this.

   They presented their survey to the board of directors.

4. a sampling, or partial collection, of facts, figures, or opinions taken and used to approximate or indicate what a complete collection and analysis might reveal.

   The survey showed the percentage of the population that planned to vote.

5. the act of determining the exact form, boundaries, position, etc., as of a tract of land or section of a country, by linear measurements, angular measurements, etc.

6. the plan or description resulting from such an operation.

7. an agency for making determinations.

   U.S. Geological Survey.

survey.

²

abbreviation

1. surveying.

survey

verb

1. (tr) to view or consider in a comprehensive or general way

   to survey the situation

2. (tr) to examine carefully, as or as if to appraise value

   to survey oneself in a mirror

3. to plot a detailed map of (an area of land) by measuring or calculating distances and height

4. to inspect a building to determine its condition and value

5. to examine a vessel thoroughly in order to determine its seaworthiness

6. (tr) to run a statistical survey on (incomes, opinions, etc)

noun

1. a comprehensive or general view

   a survey of English literature

2. a critical, detailed, and formal inspection

   a survey of the nation's hospitals

3. an inspection of a building to determine its condition and value

4. a report incorporating the results of such an inspection

5. 1. a body of surveyors

   2. an area surveyed

6. statistics a random sample

Other Word Forms

• surveyable adjective
• presurvey verb (used with object)
• self-survey noun
• self-surveyed adjective
• unsurveyable adjective
• unsurveyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of survey¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English surveien (verb), from Anglo-French surveier, Middle French surv(e)ier, surveoir “to oversee,” from sur- sur- ¹ + v(e)ier “to see” (from Latin vidēre; video ( def. ), vision ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of survey¹

C15: from French surveoir, from _sur- ¹ + veoir to see, from Latin vidēre

Example Sentences

That’s not exactly encouraging news since Colorado’s collection of prospects ranks in the bottom seven in baseball in multiple surveys.

From Los Angeles Times

A recent government survey shows that more than 5,600 schools in the state are in dilapidated condition.

From BBC

The route was one of 39 inspected as part of a "safe route assessment survey", which found that 29 were deemed safe and that nine could be made safe if improvements were made.

From BBC

Meanwhile the most recent British Social Attitudes survey, conducted last autumn, showed that a record 59% are dissatisfied with the NHS.

From BBC

A recent survey by personal finance website NerdWallet found that more than 2 in 5 Americans said they would almost always opt for a retailer that offers free shipping over one that doesn’t.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assess 
• canvass 
• check 
• check out 
• estimate 
• evaluate 
• examine 
• inspect 
• look over 
• observe 
• overlook 
• oversee 
• review 
• scan 
• supervise