noun
- Plural of geoid; the shape of Earth as defined by the surface of constant gravitational potential that coincides with mean sea level.
Usage: technical; geodesy and geophysics
Examples
- Geoids are used by geodesists to model Earth's true shape more accurately than a simple sphere.
- The study of geoids helps scientists understand variations in Earth's gravitational field.
- Different geoids have been calculated to improve GPS and satellite positioning systems.
- Geoids account for the irregular distribution of mass within Earth's interior.