Meaning & use
geospatial
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Relating to data or information that is linked to a specific place on the Earth's surface.
Grammar: Used before a noun: geospatial data, geospatial analysis.
Patterns
- geospatial data
- geospatial analysis
- geospatial technology
The city uses geospatial data to plan new bus routes.
Geospatial analysis showed where flooding was most likely.
She works for a company that builds geospatial software for farmers.
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Relating to the use of maps and location-based tools to study or manage places.
Grammar: Often describes a field or job: geospatial science, geospatial engineer.
Patterns
- geospatial science
- geospatial engineer
- geospatial information
He studied geospatial science at university.
The team includes a geospatial engineer who makes digital maps.
Geospatial information helps emergency services find people quickly.
Common combinations
- geospatial data
- The app collects geospatial data from users' phones.
- geospatial analysis
- Geospatial analysis revealed patterns in the spread of the disease.
- geospatial technology
- Geospatial technology has improved a lot in the last ten years.
- geospatial information system
- The council uses a geospatial information system to track road repairs.
Synonyms and how they differ
- spatial
- Spatial is broader and can refer to position in any space, not just on Earth.
- geographic
- Geographic often relates to the study of places, while geospatial stresses data tied to a location.
- location-based
- Location-based is more everyday and often refers to services, not analysis.
Word family
- geospatially adverb
- In a way that relates to location on Earth.
Commonly confused: geospatial or geographic?
geospatial vs geographic
Geographic means relating to geography in general; geospatial specifically means linked to a location on Earth.
Practice
The company uses ______ data to decide where to open new stores.
Choose one answer.
Geospatial fits because it describes data linked to locations. Geography is a noun, not an adjective; geologist is a person; geometric relates to shapes, not places.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “geospatial”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.