Meaning & use
topology
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Meanings
noununcountablemathematics
The area of mathematics that studies the properties of shapes that stay the same when they are stretched or bent but not torn or cut.
Grammar: No plural or article for the field: she studies topology.
Patterns
- study topology
- topology of something
In topology, a coffee mug and a doughnut count as the same shape.
She is writing a doctoral thesis in topology.
Topology helps mathematicians describe how spaces connect.
nouncountable or uncountablecomputing
The way the parts of a network or system are arranged and connected.
Grammar: Often followed by of: the topology of the network.
Patterns
- the topology of something
- network topology
The engineer drew the topology of the office network.
A star topology connects every computer to one central switch.
Changing the topology can improve how data flows.
nouncountablemathematicsspecialist
The shape and structure of a mathematical space, or a specific collection of sets that defines it.
Grammar: A countable use for a specific structure: a topology on a set.
Patterns
- a topology on something
Every set can be given a topology in several different ways.
The class defined a topology on the real numbers.
Two topologies on the same set may give different notions of nearness.
Word forms
| plural | topologies |
|---|
Common combinations
- network topology
- The network topology determines how fast data moves.
- algebraic topology
- Algebraic topology links shapes with algebra.
- star topology
- A star topology is common in small offices.
- the topology of a space
- The topology of a sphere differs from that of a torus.
- change the topology
- Adding a new link changes the topology.
Synonyms and how they differ
- layout
- Layout is a plain word for how things are arranged, whereas topology cares about connections and not exact positions.
- structure
- Structure is more general and may include size and material, while topology looks only at connections.
- configuration
- Configuration often covers settings as well as arrangement, so it is wider than topology.
- geometry
- Geometry cares about measurements like length and angle, which topology ignores.
Word family
- topological adjective
- relating to topology
- topologically adverb
- in terms of topology
- topologist noun
- a mathematician who studies topology
Commonly confused: topology or topography?
topology vs topography
Topography describes the physical features of land, such as hills and rivers. Topology deals with abstract shape or connection.
Practice
A diagram showing how every computer in an office is connected to a central switch shows the network's ______.
Choose one answer.
Topology is the arrangement of connections in a network. Topography is about land surface, and typography is about printed type.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “topology”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.