What does "survey" mean?
The act of surveying; a general view.
Survey
/ˈsɝˌveɪ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of surveying; a general view.
- Grammar: survey is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: abbreviation, abbreviature, abrege, abridgment.
- Useful contrasts: excavations.
- Usage evidence: The results of the survey will be announced in due course.
How to use "survey"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "survey" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "survey" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "survey" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "survey" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "survey" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abbreviation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "survey", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of surveying; a general view.
"Under his proud survey the city lies."
- 2 a detailed critical inspection wordnet
- 3 A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of a particular group of items, in order to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality.
"A survey of the stores of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings."
- 4 the act of looking or seeing or observing wordnet
- 5 The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of any part of the Earth's surface.
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 short descriptive summary (of events) wordnet
- 7 A measured plan and description of any portion of country.
"The owners of the adjoining plots had conflicting surveys."
- 8 An examination of the opinions of a group of people.
"The local council conducted a survey of its residents to help it decide whether to go ahead with the roadside waste collection service."
- 9 A questionnaire or similar instrument used for examining the opinions of a group of people.
"I just filled out that survey on roadside waste pick-up."
- 10 An auction at which a farm is let for a lease for lives. historical
- 11 A district for the collection of customs under a particular officer. US
Verb
- 1 To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook
"He stood on a hill, and surveyed the surrounding country."
- 2 consider in a comprehensive way wordnet
- 3 To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
"[…]with ſuch alter'd Looks,[…] / All pale, and ſpeechleſs, he ſurvey'd me round;"
- 4 plot a map of (land) wordnet
- 5 To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of
"It was his job to survey buildings in order to determine their value and risks."
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 make a survey of; for statistical purposes wordnet
- 7 To determine the form, extent, position, etc., of, as a tract of land, a coast, harbor, or the like, by means of linear and angular measurements, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry
"to survey land or a coast"
- 8 hold a review (of troops) wordnet
- 9 To examine and ascertain, as the boundaries and royalties of a manor, the tenure of the tenants, and the rent and value of the same.
"all the Tenants Leases and Copies are surveyed"
- 10 look over carefully or inspect wordnet
- 11 To investigate the opinions, experiences, etc., of people by asking them questions; to conduct a survey; to administer a questionnaire.
- 12 keep under surveillance wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The results of the survey will be announced in due course."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "survey"?
Common synonyms include: abbreviation, abbreviature, abrege, abridgment, abstract, academic history book.
How do you use "survey" in a sentence?
The results of the survey will be announced in due course.
How do you pronounce "survey"?
Pronounced /ˈsɝˌveɪ/.
Etymology
From Middle English surveyen, from Old French sourveoir, surveer (“to oversee”), from sour-, sur- (“over”) + veoir, veeir (“to see”), from Latin videre. See sur- and vision. Related to supervision.