Definition Definition

surface - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'surface' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Surface [ n.]
- The exterior part of anything that has length and breadth; one of the limits that bound a solid, esp. the upper face; superficies; the outside; as, the surface of the earth; the surface of a diamond; the surface of the body.
- Hence, outward or external appearance.
- A magnitude that has length and breadth without thickness; superficies; as, a plane surface; a spherical surface.
- That part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion.
2 . Surface [ v. t.]
- To give a surface to; especially, to cause to have a smooth or plain surface; to make smooth or plain.
- To work over the surface or soil of, as ground, in hunting for gold.

Meaning of 'surface' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . surface [ n]
Meaning (1):
- the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object
Example in sentence:
  • a brush small enough to clean every dental surface;
  • the sun has no distinct surface;
  • they skimmed over the surface of the water
Meaning (2):
- information that has become public
Example in sentence:
  • all the reports were out in the open;
  • the facts had been brought to the surface
Meaning (3):
- the outermost level of the land or sea
Example in sentence:
  • earthquakes originate far below the surface;
  • three quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water
Meaning (4):
- a superficial aspect as opposed to the real nature of something
Example in sentence:
  • it was not what it appeared to be on the surface
Meaning (5):
- the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
Example in sentence:
  • the cloth had a pattern of red dots on a white surface;
  • there is a special cleaner for these surfaces
6 . surface [ v]
Meaning (6):
- put a coat on; cover the surface of; furnish with a surface
Example in sentence:
  • coat the cake with chocolate
Meaning (7):
- appear or become visible; make a showing
Example in sentence:
  • I hope the list key is going to surface again;
  • She turned up at the funeral
8 . surface [ a]
Meaning (8):
- on the surface
Example in sentence:
  • surface materials of the moon