noun · verb · 23 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/ˈsɜːveɪ/
UK:/sɜːˈveɪ/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:sûrʹvā
US:sər-vāʹ
US:/ˈsɝˌveɪ/
US:/sɚˈveɪ/
rhymes with -ɜː(ɹ)veɪ
UK:/səˈveɪ/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:sûr′vā
rhymes with -eɪ
CMU ARPABET:S ER0 V EY1
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:S ER1 V EY2
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The act of surveying; a general view.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of a particular group of items, in order to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
A survey of the stores of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of any part of the Earth's surface.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A measured plan and description of any portion of country.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The owners of the adjoining plots had conflicting surveys.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
An examination of the opinions and/or information of a group of people.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The local council conducted a survey of its residents to help it decide whether to go ahead with the roadside waste collection service.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
A questionnaire or similar instrument used for examining the opinions and/or information of a group of people.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
I just filled out that survey on roadside waste pick-up.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
An auction at which a farm is let for a lease for lives.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
A district for the collection of customs under a particular officer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
verb
Meaning 9
To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
He stood on a hill, and surveyed the surrounding country.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
verb
Meaning 10
To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
verb
Meaning 11
To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
It was his job to survey buildings in order to determine their value and risks.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
verb
Meaning 12
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
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
to survey land or a coast
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
verb
Meaning 13
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.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
14
verb
Meaning 14
To investigate the opinions, experiences, etc., of people by asking them questions; to conduct a survey; to administer a questionnaire.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: circularize
Antonyms: none provided
15
noun
Meaning 15
a detailed critical inspection
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: study
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: examination, scrutiny
Narrower terms: resurvey
16
noun
Meaning 16
the act of looking or seeing or observing
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
he tried to get a better view of it
his survey of the battlefield was limited
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: view, sight
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: look, looking, looking at
Narrower terms: eyeful
17
noun
Meaning 17
short descriptive summary (of events)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: sketch, resume
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: summary, sum-up
18
verb
Meaning 18
consider in a comprehensive way
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
He appraised the situation carefully before acting
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: review, go over
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: inspect
22
verb
Meaning 22
look over carefully or inspect
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
He surveyed his new classmates
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: examine, see
Narrower terms: overlook
23
verb
Meaning 23
keep under surveillance
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The police had been following him for weeks but they could not prove his involvement in the bombing
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: surveil, follow
Antonyms: none provided
History
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.
Across languages
Translations
246 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Arabic:
اِسْتِبَانَة
(istibāna)
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Armenian:
հարցում
(harcʻum)
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Belarusian:
апыта́нне
(apytánnje)
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Bulgarian:
допитване
(dopitvane)
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Bulgarian:
анкета
(anketa)
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Catalan:
enquesta
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Chinese Mandarin:
民意測驗 /民意测验
(mínyì cèyàn)
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Czech:
anketa
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Czech:
dotazník
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Danish:
spørgeundersøgelse
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Dutch:
enquête
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Esperanto:
sondo
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Esperanto:
opinisondo
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Finnish:
kysely
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Finnish:
kyselytutkimus
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
French:
sondage
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
French:
enquête
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
German:
Umfrage
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Greek:
δημοσκόπηση
(dimoskópisi)
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Greek:
σφυγμομέτρηση
(sfygmométrisi)
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Hawaiian:
anamanaʻo
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Hindi:
सर्वेक्षण
(sarvekṣaṇ)
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Hungarian:
felmérés
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Irish:
suirbhé
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Italian:
sondaggio
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Macedonian:
анкета
(anketa)
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Norwegian Bokmål:
spørreundersøkelse
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Norwegian Bokmål:
spørreundersøking
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Norwegian Nynorsk:
spørjeundersøking
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Polish:
przegląd
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Polish:
ankieta
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Polish:
sondaż
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Portuguese:
sondagem
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Russian:
опро́с
(oprós)
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Serbo-Croatian:
anketa
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Spanish:
sondeo
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Ukrainian:
опи́тування
(opýtuvannja)
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Vietnamese:
cuộc thăm dò ý kiến
— an examination of the opinions, information of a group
Bulgarian:
преглед
(pregled)
— act of surveying
Bulgarian:
обзор
(obzor)
— act of surveying
Catalan:
enquestar
— act of surveying
Czech:
zaměření
— act of surveying
Finnish:
yleiskatsaus
— act of surveying
Finnish:
yleissilmäys
— act of surveying
French:
arpentage
— act of surveying
French:
reconnaissance
— act of surveying
French:
sondage
— act of surveying
Georgian:
გამოკითხვა
(gamoḳitxva)
— act of surveying
Georgian:
ანკეტირება
(anḳeṭireba)
— act of surveying
Georgian:
გამოკვლევა
(gamoḳvleva)
— act of surveying
Higaonon:
subayan
— act of surveying
Hindi:
सर्वेक्षण
(sarvekṣaṇ)
— act of surveying
Indonesian:
survei
— act of surveying
Irish:
suirbhéireacht
— act of surveying
Italian:
inchiesta
— act of surveying
Korean:
개관
(gaegwan)
— act of surveying
Māori:
rūritanga
— act of surveying
Māori:
weatanga
— act of surveying
Polish:
nadzór
— act of surveying
Polish:
ankieta
— act of surveying
Portuguese:
supervisão
— act of surveying
Russian:
обзо́р
(obzór)
— act of surveying
Russian:
обозре́ние
(obozrénije)
— act of surveying
Scottish Gaelic:
suirbhidh
— act of surveying
Serbo-Croatian:
земљомерство
— act of surveying
Serbo-Croatian:
zemljomerstvo
— act of surveying
Spanish:
encuesta
— act of surveying
Turkish:
anket
— act of surveying
Ukrainian:
о́гляд
(óhljad)
— act of surveying
Vietnamese:
sự quan sát
— act of surveying
Bulgarian:
изследване
(izsledvane)
— an examination
Chinese Mandarin:
查勘
(chákān)
— an examination
Chinese Mandarin:
調查 /调查
(diàochá)
— an examination
Czech:
zjištění
— an examination
Czech:
průzkum
— an examination
Czech:
inspekce
— an examination
Dutch:
enquête
— an examination
Dutch:
inspectie
— an examination
Dutch:
onderzoek
— an examination
Dutch:
rapport
— an examination
Esperanto:
esploro
— an examination
Esperanto:
enketo
— an examination
Esperanto:
sondo
— an examination
Esperanto:
sondado
— an examination
Finnish:
tarkastus
— an examination
Finnish:
katselmus
— an examination
Finnish:
katsaus
— an examination
French:
enquête
— an examination
Georgian:
დათვალიერება
(datvaliereba)
— an examination
Georgian:
გამოკვლევა
(gamoḳvleva)
— an examination
Georgian:
მიმოხილვა
(mimoxilva)
— an examination
Georgian:
გასინჯვა
(gasinǯva)
— an examination
Georgian:
შემოწმება
(šemoc̣meba)
— an examination
Georgian:
დაკვირვება
(daḳvirveba)
— an examination
Georgian:
ინსპექტირება
(insṗekṭireba)
— an examination
German:
Untersuchung
— an examination
Greek:
επιθεώρηση
(epitheórisi)
— an examination
Greek:
επισκόπηση
(episkópisi)
— an examination
Hindi:
सर्वेक्षण
(sarvekṣaṇ)
— an examination
Italian:
indagine
— an examination
Japanese:
調査
(chōsa)
— an examination
Korean:
조사
(josa)
— an examination
Norwegian Bokmål:
undersøkelse
— an examination
Polish:
ankieta
— an examination
Portuguese:
levantamento
— an examination
Portuguese:
enquete
— an examination
Russian:
обсле́дование
(obslédovanije)
— an examination
Russian:
осмо́тр
(osmótr)
— an examination
Russian:
инспекти́рование
(inspektírovanije)
— an examination
Russian:
иссле́дование
(isslédovanije)
— an examination
Scottish Gaelic:
suirbhidh
— an examination
Serbo-Croatian:
pregled
— an examination
Serbo-Croatian:
istraživanje
— an examination
Spanish:
supervisión
— an examination
Spanish:
encuesta
— an examination
Swedish:
granskning
— an examination
Swedish:
besiktning
— an examination
Swedish:
inspektion
— an examination
Tagalog:
siyasig
— an examination
Turkish:
inceleme
— an examination
Turkish:
tetkik
— an examination
Ukrainian:
дослі́дження
(doslídžennja)
— an examination
Ukrainian:
о́гляд
(óhljad)
— an examination
Ukrainian:
обсте́ження
(obstéžennja)
— an examination
Vietnamese:
cuộc khảo sát
— an examination
Vietnamese:
cuộc điều tra
— an examination
Welsh:
arolwg
— an examination
Bulgarian:
топографско заснемане
(topografsko zasnemane)
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Chinese Mandarin:
測量 /测量
(cèliáng)
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Finnish:
kartoitus
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Finnish:
maanmittaus
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
French:
reconnaissance
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
German:
Vermessung
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Greek:
τοπογράφηση
(topográfisi)
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Greek:
γεωδαισία
(geodaisía)
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Hindi:
सर्वेक्षण
(sarvekṣaṇ)
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Indonesian:
survei
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Irish:
suirbhéireacht
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Italian:
ricognizione
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Japanese:
測量
(sokuryō)
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Korean:
측량
(cheungnyang)
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Portuguese:
levantamento
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Portuguese:
levantamento topográfico
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Russian:
топографи́ческая съёмка
(topografíčeskaja sʺjómka)
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Russian:
съёмка
(sʺjómka)
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Russian:
межева́ние
(meževánije)
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Scottish Gaelic:
tomhas
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Scottish Gaelic:
suirbhidh
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Spanish:
campaña topográfica
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Spanish:
levantamiento topográfico
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Ottoman Turkish:
مساحه
(mesaha)
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Vietnamese:
cuộc khảo sát
— operation of finding the contour, dimensions or position as any part of the Earth's surface
Finnish:
tarkkailla
— to view as from a high place
German:
überblicken
— to view as from a high place
Hindi:
सर्वेक्षण
(sarvekṣaṇ)
— to view as from a high place
Japanese:
見回す
(mimawasu)
— to view as from a high place
Japanese:
見廻す
(mimawasu)
— to view as from a high place
Japanese:
見渡す
(miwatasu)
— to view as from a high place
Korean:
둘러보다
(dulleoboda)
— to view as from a high place
Korean:
전망하다
(jeonmanghada)
— to view as from a high place
Latin:
aspicio
— to view as from a high place
Latin:
despecto
— to view as from a high place
Māori:
tiro whānui
— to view as from a high place
Russian:
обозрева́ть
(obozrevátʹ)
— to view as from a high place
Spanish:
reconocer
— to view as from a high place
Spanish:
atalayar
— to view as from a high place
Spanish:
otear
— to view as from a high place
Spanish:
otar
— to view as from a high place
Ukrainian:
огляда́ти
(ohljadáty)
— to view as from a high place
Vietnamese:
quan sát
— to view as from a high place
Bulgarian:
изследвам
(izsledvam)
— to inspect; to examine
Bulgarian:
инспектирам
(inspektiram)
— to inspect; to examine
Dutch:
onderzoeken
— to inspect; to examine
Dutch:
rapporteren
— to inspect; to examine
Estonian:
uurima
— to inspect; to examine
Finnish:
tarkastella
— to inspect; to examine
French:
inspecter
— to inspect; to examine
German:
untersuchen
— to inspect; to examine
German:
inspizieren
— to inspect; to examine
German:
examinieren
— to inspect; to examine
Hindi:
सर्वेक्षण
(sarvekṣaṇ)
— to inspect; to examine
Hindi:
समीक्षा
(samīkṣā)
— to inspect; to examine
Japanese:
見渡す
(miwatasu)
— to inspect; to examine
Korean:
조사하다
(josahada)
— to inspect; to examine
Korean:
검사하다
(geomsahada)
— to inspect; to examine
Latin:
aspicio
— to inspect; to examine
Latin:
despecto
— to inspect; to examine
Māori:
mātaki
— to inspect; to examine
Māori:
mātakitaki
— to inspect; to examine
Māori:
tiro
— to inspect; to examine
Māori:
whakatātare
— to inspect; to examine
Māori:
mātai
— to inspect; to examine
Portuguese:
inspecionar
— to inspect; to examine
Portuguese:
investigar
— to inspect; to examine
Russian:
осма́тривать
(osmátrivatʹ)
— to inspect; to examine
Russian:
обсле́довать
(obslédovatʹ)
— to inspect; to examine
Russian:
инспекти́ровать
(inspektírovatʹ)
— to inspect; to examine
Spanish:
inspeccionar
— to inspect; to examine
Spanish:
expertizar
— to inspect; to examine
Ottoman Turkish:
سوزمك
(süzmek)
— to inspect; to examine
Ukrainian:
огляда́ти
(ohljadáty)
— to inspect; to examine
Ukrainian:
обсте́жувати
(obstéžuvaty)
— to inspect; to examine
Vietnamese:
khảo sát
— to inspect; to examine
Vietnamese:
điều tra
— to inspect; to examine
Vietnamese:
kiểm tra
— to inspect; to examine
Finnish:
tarkastaa
— to determine the status or value of
Finnish:
katsastaa
— to determine the status or value of
German:
abschätzen
— to determine the status or value of
German:
begutachten
— to determine the status or value of
German:
evaluieren
— to determine the status or value of
Hindi:
समीक्षा
(samīkṣā)
— to determine the status or value of
Japanese:
見渡す
(miwatasu)
— to determine the status or value of
Korean:
조사하다
(josahada)
— to determine the status or value of
Korean:
검사하다
(geomsahada)
— to determine the status or value of
Russian:
обсле́довать
(obslédovatʹ)
— to determine the status or value of
Spanish:
valorar
— to determine the status or value of
Spanish:
avaluar
— to determine the status or value of
Spanish:
expertizar
— to determine the status or value of
Ukrainian:
обсте́жувати
(obstéžuvaty)
— to determine the status or value of
Vietnamese:
khảo sát
— to determine the status or value of
Vietnamese:
điều tra
— to determine the status or value of
Vietnamese:
kiểm tra
— to determine the status or value of
Finnish:
määrittää
— to determine the form or borders of
German:
vermessen
— to determine the form or borders of
Hindi:
सर्वेक्षण
(sarvekṣaṇ)
— to determine the form or borders of
Hindi:
समीक्षा
(samīkṣā)
— to determine the form or borders of
Korean:
측량하다
(cheungnyanghada)
— to determine the form or borders of
Māori:
rūri
— to determine the form or borders of
Māori:
wea
— to determine the form or borders of
Russian:
межева́ть
(meževátʹ)
— to determine the form or borders of
Scottish Gaelic:
tomhais
— to determine the form or borders of
Vietnamese:
khảo sát
— to determine the form or borders of
Bulgarian:
анкетирам
(anketiram)
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
Catalan:
enquestar
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
French:
sonder
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
German:
befragen
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
German:
erfragen
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
Hawaiian:
anamanaʻo
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
Hindi:
सर्वेक्षण
(sarvekṣaṇ)
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
Hindi:
समीक्षा
(samīkṣā)
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
Māori:
wea
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
Polish:
ankietować
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
Polish:
zankietować
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
Polish:
ankietyzować
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
Spanish:
encuestar
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions
Vietnamese:
thăm dò ý kiến
— To investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking questions