Word
cartography
Phoneticscar·tog·ra·phy
UK/kɑːtˈɒɡɹəfi/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. making maps and studying how maps show places and information. You see this word when people talk about old paper maps or modern digital ones.
n. the discipline concerned with the creation, production, and study of maps and spatial representations, including surveying, projection, and symbolization.
Examples
“She studies cartography to make better maps.”
“The museum exhibit shows how cartography changed from hand-drawn maps to digital satellite images.”
“Modern cartography blends satellite data, computer design, and careful choices about color and symbols to help people understand complex landscapes.”
Examples
simple
“She studies cartography to make better maps.”
contextual
“The museum exhibit shows how cartography changed from hand-drawn maps to digital satellite images.”
complex
“Modern cartography blends satellite data, computer design, and careful choices about color and symbols to help people understand complex landscapes.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “cartography” in context.
Verb
01. cartography evolves
“As technology advances, cartography evolves to include interactive 3D elements.”
noun + verb
02. master cartography
“It takes years of practice to master cartography and precise map design.”
verb + noun
03. revolutionize cartography
“The invention of the printing press helped revolutionize cartography in Europe.”
verb + noun
04. study cartography
“Students study cartography to understand how spatial data is represented visually.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. celestial cartography
“Early astronomers used celestial cartography to navigate the open seas.”
adj + noun
06. digital cartography
“Modern digital cartography relies heavily on satellite imagery and GPS data.”
adj + noun
07. historical cartography
“The museum features a rare collection of historical cartography from the 16th century.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. history of cartography
“The professor published a comprehensive book on the history of cartography.”
noun + prep + noun
09. principles of cartography
“Basic principles of cartography dictate how scale and projection are applied.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a masterpiece of cartography
“The hand-drawn atlas is considered a masterpiece of cartography.”
11. advances in digital cartography
“Recent advances in digital cartography have made real-time navigation possible.”
12. apply the techniques of cartography
“Geologists apply the techniques of cartography to map underground mineral deposits.”
Real-World Examples
“Amid the rise of the shiny new thing (AI), a new cohort of companies is finding uncharted territory in a centuries-old practice: Cartography.” “This milestone in cartography is known as the Waldseemüller map, after the German humanist who drew it.” Etymology
From French cartographie, from carte (“map”) (ultimately from Ancient Greek χάρτης (khártēs, “map”)) + -graphie (“-graphy”) (from γράφω (gráphō, “write”)); carto- (“map”) + -graphy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/cartography