| 1. | a line joining points of equal elevation on a surface. |
| 2. | the representation of such a line on a map. |
| 3. | Mathematics. a line parallel to a trace. Compare trace 1 (def. 11). |
contour line  (kŏn't r') Pronunciation Key
(click for larger image in new window) A line on a map joining points of equal elevation above a given level, usually mean sea level. ◇ The change in elevation between one contour line and the next is the contour interval. |
