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
Throughout a half-century in journalism, insights – and in many cases, direct quotes – from a course on Shakespeare, another on the King James Bible, a third on geology, and another on American diplomatic history found their way into my columns. — David Shribman, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026 Their label Loma Vista matched them with Waxwork Records, who brought their vision to fruition alongside help from the University of Georgia’s geology department. — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026 Covering roughly 430,556 square feet of galleries and surrounded by a 1,205,557 square foot park, the building narrates the nation’s geology, pearl-trading heritage, and rapid modernization through immersive exhibits. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 The city is presented instead as one point within a much larger system of movement, migration, geology, ecology, and human intervention. — Erin Parish, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All