topology

noun

to·​pol·​o·​gy tə-ˈpä-lə-jē How to pronounce topology (audio)
tä-
plural topologies
1
: topographic study of a particular place
specifically : the history of a region as indicated by its topography
2
a(1)
: a branch of mathematics concerned with those properties of geometric configurations (such as point sets) which are unaltered by elastic deformations (such as a stretching or a twisting) that are homeomorphisms
(2)
: the set of all open subsets of a topological space
b
: configuration
topology of a molecule
topology of a magnetic field
topologist noun

Examples of topology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After completing her graduate degree, Mirzakhani went on to make major advances in geometry, topology and dynamical systems. Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025 In brownfield scenarios, these agents can analyze existing topologies, device configurations and metrics to propose improvements and optimizations. Naveen Achyuta, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 Geometric topology is a beautiful and complex subject, and there are still countless exciting questions to answer about spaces. John Etnyre, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2025 The first tests, conducted about two decades ago, linked a range of possible topologies to signals that might have been spotted in astronomical data. Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for topology

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of topology was in 1850

Cite this Entry

“Topology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topology. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

topology

noun
to·​pol·​o·​gy tə-ˈpäl-ə-jē How to pronounce topology (audio)
: a branch of mathematics concerned with the properties of geometric figures that do not change when the figure is twisted or stretched in certain ways
topological
ˌtäp-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl
ˌtōp-
adjective
topologist noun

Medical Definition

topology

noun
to·​pol·​o·​gy tə-ˈpäl-ə-jē, tä- How to pronounce topology (audio)
plural topologies
1
2
: configuration sense 1
the topology of a molecule
topological adjective
also topologic

More from Merriam-Webster on topology

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