geoid

[ jee-oid ]
/ ˈdʒi ɔɪd /

noun

an imaginary surface that coincides with mean sea level in the ocean and its extension through the continents.
the geometric figure formed by this surface, an ellipsoid flattened at the poles.

Origin of geoid

First recorded in 1880–85, geoid is from the Greek word geoeidḗs earthlike. See geo-, -oid

OTHER WORDS FROM geoid

ge·oi·dal, adjective

Words nearby geoid

geographical determinism, geographical mile, geographical tongue, geography, geohydrology, geoid, geoisotherm, geol., geolocation, geologic, geologic time

Example sentences from the Web for geoid

British Dictionary definitions for geoid

geoid
/ (ˈdʒiːɔɪd) /

noun

a hypothetical surface that corresponds to mean sea level and extends at the same level under the continents
the shape of the earth

Scientific definitions for geoid

geoid
[ jē′oid′ ]

The hypothetical surface of the Earth that coincides everywhere with mean sea level and is perpendicular, at every point, to the direction of gravity. The geoid is used as a reference surface for astronomical measurements and for the accurate measurement of elevations on the Earth's surface.