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July 06, 2016 Word of the Day

survey /sɚˈveɪ/ verb
survey
/sɚˈveɪ/
verb

surveys; surveyed; surveying

The man is surveying the damage done to the car.
The man is surveying the damage done to the car.
Definition of SURVEY

[+ object]

1 : to ask (many people) a question or a series of questions in order to gather information about what most people do or think about something

  • A total of 250 city residents were surveyed about the project.

  • 64 percent of the people surveyed said that the economy was doing well.

  • The magazine surveyed its readers on their romantic relationships. [=the magazine took/conducted a survey of its readers to find out about their romantic relationships]

2 : to look at and examine all parts of (something)

  • The teacher surveyed the room.

  • People were surveying the damage after the storm.

3 : to measure and examine (an area of land)

  • Engineers surveyed the property to see what could be built on it.

4 : to give a general description or report of (something, such as a subject or a situation)

  • The class surveys American history before the Civil War.

5 British : to examine (a building) to make sure it is in good condition

  • The house must be surveyed [=(US) inspected] before it can be sold.

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