What does surveyed mean?
Surveyed means that someone has examined a subject in order to gather information or form an assessment. The word is used for formal research, such as surveying members of the public about their opinions, preferences, or experiences, and for practical inspection of land, buildings, equipment, or sites. Surveyed can also describe the people or places included in a study: a surveyed population is the group from which information was collected, while a surveyed area is one that was inspected. In general use, the word suggests a systematic and relatively organized process rather than a casual impression. It is common in academic research, government reports, journalism, construction, property assessment, and business planning. The related noun survey names both the act of examining a subject and the resulting set of findings.
verbTo examine or investigate a subject, population, or area in order to gather information or assess its condition. It can also mean to ask people questions as part of a systematic survey.
- To conduct a survey of people, a place, or a subject in order to collect information.
- To inspect or examine an area, situation, or group in order to assess its condition or discover relevant facts.
"Researchers surveyed more than a thousand households about their recycling habits."
"The committee surveyed residents before deciding whether to redesign the park."
"After surveying the damage, engineers concluded that the bridge would need to be closed."
A survey turns individual opinions or measurements into a map of what a whole group is doing and thinking.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does surveyed come from?
The word survey comes through Anglo-French from a word meaning to look over, ultimately from Latin elements meaning over and to see. Its early senses included viewing or examining something carefully, especially land or property. The modern sense of collecting information from people developed later, while the verb form surveyed is simply the regular past tense and past participle of survey.
Related word forms
How surveyed is actually used
In American pronunciation, the first syllable is commonly rhymed with bird. The word is neutral and widely used in formal, academic, journalistic, and administrative contexts.
Easily confused with surveyed
Surveyed generally means to examine or investigate systematically, while surveilled means to watch someone, often covertly.