Definition of "survey"

survey

/ˈsɜːveɪ/

noun
plural surveys
1. The act of surveying; a general view.
  Quotations
  Under his proud survey the city lies.
  1642, John Denham, Cooper's Hill
2. A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of a particular group of items, in order to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality.
3. The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of any part of the Earth's surface.
4. A measured plan and description of any portion of country.
5. An examination of the opinions of a group of people.
6. A questionnaire or similar instrument used for examining the opinions of a group of people.
7. (historical) An auction at which a farm is let for a lease for lives.
8. (US) A district for the collection of customs under a particular officer.
verb
third-person singular simple present surveys, present participle surveying, simple past and past participle surveyed
1. To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook
  Quotations
  Round he ſurveys, and well might, where he ſtood / So high above […]
  1667, John Milton, “Book III”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […]; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873,
2. To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
  Quotations
  […] with ſuch alter'd Looks, […] / All pale, and ſpeechleſs, he ſurvey'd me round;
  1681, John Dryden, The Spanish Fryar: Or, the Double Discovery. […], London: […] Richard Tonson and Jacob Tonson, […], Act V, page 66
  By using the same classification system for all the dictionaries surveyed, it was possible to compare the lexical richness of each against the other.
  2012, James Lambert, “Beyond Hobson-Jobson: A new lexicography for Indian English”, in World Englishes‎, page 297
3. To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of
4. To determine the form, extent, position, etc., of, as a tract of land, a coast, harbor, or the like, by means of linear and angular measurements, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry
  Quotations
  The proposed route had been surveyed by George Stephenson and consisted of a main line 41⅝ miles in length with two short branches, to Norbury and Poynton Collieries, and to Chapel-en-le-Frith.
  1960 March, J. P. Wilson, E. N. C. Haywood, “The route through the Peak - Derby to Manchester: Part One”, in Trains Illustrated, page 148
  He explained that engineers had been able to examine the bridge visually, and had started surveying likely sites for access roads and where to place the heavyweight crawler crane. NR was also ordering the aggregates needed for the access roads.
  2020 August 26, “Network News: Mid-September before line reopens, says Network Rail”, in Rail, page 10
5. To examine and ascertain, as the boundaries and royalties of a manor, the tenure of the tenants, and the rent and value of the same.
  Quotations
  all the Tenants Leases and Copies are surveyed
  1713, Giles Jacob, The Complete Court-keeper: Or, Land-steward's Assistant
6. To investigate the opinions, experiences, etc., of people by asking them questions; to conduct a survey; to administer a questionnaire.