# mapping

/ˈmæpɪŋ/ (US) · /mˈæpɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mapping
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. making maps

noun · CEFR B2

the activity of making maps of an area.

For teachers: the process of surveying and representing a geographical area or physical space.

- New satellite technology has made the mapping of remote islands much easier.
- The precise mapping of the ocean floor revealed previously unknown volcanic ridges that challenged existing geological theories.

### 2. showing connections

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the act of showing how different ideas, pieces of information, or systems connect to each other.

For teachers: the systematic identification of relationships or correspondences between different sets of data or concepts.

- The mapping of customer needs to our current products helped us find gaps in our service.
- A thorough mapping of the legislative changes against the current corporate policy is essential to ensure full compliance by the end of the quarter.

### 3. mathematics/computing

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a rule that connects every element in one group to an element in another group.

For teachers: a function or operation that associates each element of a given mathematical set with a specific element of another set.

- The software uses a simple mapping to translate the old data into the new format.
- The algorithm relies on a complex mapping between the high-dimensional input space and a lower-dimensional representation to improve processing speed.

### 4. genetics

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the process of finding exactly where genes are located on a chromosome.

For teachers: the determination of the relative positions of genes on a DNA molecule or chromosome.

- Genetic mapping allows scientists to identify which genes are responsible for certain diseases.
- Recent advances in genome mapping have provided unprecedented insights into the evolutionary history of various mammalian species.

## Examples

- The software creates a mapping of all the files on your computer.
- Scientists completed the mapping of the human genome to identify which genes cause specific diseases.
- The project requires a precise mapping of local infrastructure to ensure that the new transit lines do not interfere with existing underground utility networks.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.