1. the physical features of an area of land, especially the shape and height of the land
2. the detailed study or description of the physical features of an area
Usage: technical

Examples

• The mountainous topography made construction of the highway extremely difficult.
• Desert topography is characterized by sand dunes and rocky outcrops.
• Engineers studied the local topography before designing the dam.
• The topography of the region includes rolling hills and deep valleys.
• Satellite images help scientists analyze the topography of remote areas.
• The rugged topography of Alaska presents unique challenges for travelers.