Meaning & use
geodetic
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivenot comparabletechnical
Relating to the measurement of the Earth's shape, size, and gravitational field.
Grammar: Used before a noun: geodetic survey. No comparative forms.
Patterns
- geodetic survey
- geodetic datum
- geodetic satellite
The geodetic survey mapped the island's coastline with centimeter accuracy.
Geodetic measurements show that the mountain is slowly rising.
A geodetic satellite tracks tiny changes in the Earth's gravity.
Common combinations
- geodetic survey
- The geodetic survey established precise coordinates for the new border.
- geodetic datum
- All maps in the country use the same geodetic datum.
- geodetic satellite
- The geodetic satellite orbits the poles to measure the planet's shape.
- geodetic measurement
- Geodetic measurements are essential for tracking sea-level change.
Synonyms and how they differ
- geodesic
- Geodesic often refers to the shortest line between two points on a curved surface, while geodetic is about measuring the Earth itself.
Word family
- geodesy noun
- The science of measuring the Earth's shape and size.
- geodesist noun
- A person who works in geodesy.
Commonly confused: geodetic or geodesic?
geodetic vs geodesic
Geodesic is used in geometry and physics for the shortest path on a curved surface; geodetic is used for Earth measurement and surveying.
Practice
Which word best completes the sentence? 'The team used ______ data to update the national map.'
Choose one answer.
Geodetic relates to measuring the Earth's shape and size, which is what national mapping uses. Geodesic is about shortest paths on surfaces, geographic is about places, and geological is about rocks.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “geodetic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.