geology

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

geologist

2 of 2

noun (2)

ge·​ol·​o·​gist jēˈäləjə̇st How to pronounce geologist (audio)
plural -s
: a specialist in geology

Examples of geology in a Sentence

Noun (1) 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.
Noun
How chemistry and geology passed the baton to biology remains unknown. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 Operating continuously beneath complex sub-river geology of riverbed silt and sand, the shield machine operated without intermediate access shafts. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026 The crew will map the seafloor, document marine life and collect data to better understand the geology and biodiversity of the region. — Velvet Wu july 26, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026 Its distinctive, colorful spots are created by a combination of chemistry, geology and climate. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for geology

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

geology + -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of geology was in 1735

Rhymes for geology

See All Rhymes for geology

Browse Nearby Words

geolograph
geology
geom
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Geology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geology. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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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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