con·tour
ˈkän-ˌtu̇r 
1
: an outline especially of a curving or irregular figure : shape
the sleek contours of the car
The map shows the contour of the coastline.
also
: the line representing this outline
2
: the general form or structure of something : characteristic
—often used in plural
the contours of a melody
… the contours of political and social theories.—
James G. Paradis
James G. Paradis3
: a usually meaningful change in intonation in speech
1
: following contour lines or forming furrows or ridges along them
contour flooding
contour farming
2
: made to fit the contour of something
a contour couch
contour sheets
contoured; contouring; contours
1
a
: to shape the contour of
b
: to shape so as to fit contours
2
: to construct (something, such as a road) in conformity to a contour
Examples of contour in a Sentence
Noun
He loved the sleek contours of the car.
The map showed the contour of the coastline.
Recent Examples on the Web
Isabelle Rodney, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Doing so releases ratcheting mechanisms on either side, thus allowing the back and sides of the helmet to move in until the padded lining rests firmly against the contours of your head.
—Ben Coxworth
may 16, New Atlas, 16 May 2025
Hannah Sacks, People.com, 15 May 2025
Start at the contour cone and work your way up to the ice cream and highlighter.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 25 Apr. 2025
Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 May 2025
Where Chaco’s is firm and contoured, Teva’s is cushy and accommodating.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contour
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Noun
And while the cabin may not be the most conventional place to blend or apply contour, landing glam may just be worth the little bit of turbulence.
—Isabelle Rodney, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Doing so releases ratcheting mechanisms on either side, thus allowing the back and sides of the helmet to move in until the padded lining rests firmly against the contours of your head.
—Ben Coxworth
may 16, New Atlas, 16 May 2025
Adjective
Later in the video, the camera again shows Williams and her daughter Adira, who uses a contour stick on her mom.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 15 May 2025
Start at the contour cone and work your way up to the ice cream and highlighter.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
These usually have a cradling design to contour to the body.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 May 2025
Where Chaco’s is firm and contoured, Teva’s is cushy and accommodating.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contour
Cite this Entry
“Contour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contour. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contour
1 of 3 noun
con·tour
ˈkän-ˌtu̇(ə)r
1
: the outline of a figure, body, or surface
2
: a line or drawing showing an outline
contour
2 of 3 adjective1
: following contour lines or forming furrows or ridges along them
contour farming
contour flooding
2
: made to fit the contour of something
contour bedsheets
contour
3 of 3 verb1
: to shape the contour of
2
: to shape to fit contours
Medical Definition
contour
1 of 2 noun
con·tour
ˈkän-ˌtu̇(ə)r
: an outline especially of a curving or irregular figure
also
: the line representing this outline
contour
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to shape the contour of
contour a gingiva in gingivoplasty
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