测绘 (cè huì) is a formal noun meaning 'surveying'—specifically geodetic or topographic surveying, the scientific process of measuring and mapping Earth's surface features, elevations, boundaries, and spatial relationships. The first character 测 (cè) means 'to measure' or 'to gauge', while 绘 (huì) means 'to draw' or 'to map'. Together, they literally convey 'measuring and mapping', reflecting the dual technical tasks at the heart of this discipline.

This term is used primarily in professional, technical, and governmental contexts—such as land management, urban planning, cartography, civil engineering, and geographic information systems (GIS). It is rarely used in everyday conversation and almost never appears in casual speech or informal writing. While related to general terms like 'mapping' or 'drawing', 测绘 emphasizes precision, scale, accuracy, and legal or scientific validity—distinguishing it from artistic drawing or simple sketching.