topology

[ tuh-pol-uh-jee ]
/ təˈpɒl ə dʒi /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR topology ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural to·pol·o·gies for 3. Mathematics.

the study of those properties of geometric forms that remain invariant under certain transformations, as bending or stretching.
Also called point set topology. the study of limits in sets considered as collections of points.
a collection of open sets making a given set a topological space.

Origin of topology

First recorded in 1650–60; topo- + -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM topology

top·o·log·ic [top-uh-loj-ik] /ˌtɒp əˈlɒdʒ ɪk/, top·o·log·i·cal, adjective top·o·log·i·cal·ly, adverb to·pol·o·gist, noun

Words nearby topology

topological equivalence, topological group, topological invariant, topological space, topological transformation, topology, topolski, toponarcosis, toponym, toponymy, topos

Words related to topology

topography, geopolitics, geology, cartography, physiography, chorography

Example sentences from the Web for topology

British Dictionary definitions for topology

topology
/ (təˈpɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the branch of mathematics concerned with generalization of the concepts of continuity, limit, etc
a branch of geometry describing the properties of a figure that are unaffected by continuous distortion, such as stretching or knotting Former name: analysis situs
maths a family of subsets of a given set S, such that S is a topological space
the arrangement and interlinking of computers in a computer network
the study of the topography of a given place, esp as far as it reflects its history
the anatomy of any specific bodily area, structure, or part

Derived forms of topology

topologic (ˌtɒpəˈlɒdʒɪk) or topological, adjective topologically, adverb topologist, noun

Scientific definitions for topology

topology
[ tə-pŏl′ə-jē ]

The mathematical study of the geometric properties that are not normally affected by changes in the size or shape of geometric figures. In topology, a donut and a coffee cup with a handle are equivalent shapes, because each has a single hole.