1. The extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object
   "the sun has no distinct surface"; "they skimmed over the surface of the water"; "a brush small enough to clean every dental surface"
    
2. The outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
   "there is a special cleaner for these surfaces"; "the cloth had a pattern of red dots on a white surface"
    
3. The outermost level of the land or sea
   "earthquakes originate far below the surface"; "three quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water";
   - Earth's surface
    
4. A superficial aspect as opposed to the real nature of something
   "it was not what it appeared to be on the surface"
    
5. Information that has become public
   "the facts had been brought to the surface";
   - open
    
6. A device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air; can lift or control a plane in flight
   "The shape of the control surface determines how much lift the wing generates";
   - airfoil [N. Amer], aerofoil [Brit], control surface

1. On the surface
   "surface materials of the moon"

1. Come to the surface
   "The submarine surfaced unexpectedly";
   - come up, rise up, rise
    
2. Appear or become visible; make a showing
   "I hope the list key is going to surface again";
   - come out, turn up, show up
    
3. Put a coat on; cover the surface of; furnish with a surface
   "They surfaced the road with fresh asphalt";
   - coat

Derived forms: surfaces, surfaced, surfacing

See also: aboveground, come, grade-constructed [N. Amer], opencast [Brit], opencut

Type of: appear, artefact [Brit], artifact [N. Amer], ascend, aspect, bound, boundary, bounds, cover, device, facet, general knowledge, go up, layer, public knowledge

Antonym: overhead, subsurface

Part of: geosphere, lithosphere

Encyclopedia: Surface