Pronunciation: [mˈapɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "mapping" is spelled with five letters: m-a-p-p-i-n-g. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /ˈmæpɪŋ/. The first sound is the "m" sound, which is a voiced bilabial nasal. The second and third sounds, "a" and "p", are both voiceless bilabial plosives. The fourth sound, "i", is a high front unrounded vowel. The final sound, "ng", is a voiced velar nasal. Together, these sounds form the word "mapping".
Mapping refers to the process or act of creating a visual representation or chart, known as a map, that depicts the spatial or conceptual relationships between various elements, objects, or ideas. It encompasses the art or science of depicting geographic locations, physical features, boundaries, or other spatial data on a two-dimensional surface such as paper or a digital display.
In a broader sense, mapping can also refer to the act of establishing a connection or correlation between two or more sets of data, variables, attributes, concepts, or ideas. This involves organizing and representing these elements in a structured manner to uncover patterns, relationships, or insights. Mapping in this context often involves the use of visual tools, diagrams, graphs, or other graphical representations to aid in understanding the connections or dependencies between elements.
Mapping can be found in various fields and disciplines, including geography, cartography, data analysis, information technology, biology, social sciences, and project management. It serves multiple purposes such as navigation, communication, analysis, decision-making, planning, or presenting complex information in a simplified manner.
In recent times, mapping has been greatly enhanced by advancements in technology, particularly with the development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and digital mapping tools. These tools allow for the creation of highly detailed, interactive, and dynamic maps that incorporate layers of information from multiple sources, enabling users to explore, analyze, and interpret spatial relationships in more depth and accuracy.
The art or practice of planning or drawing maps.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "mapping" comes from the verb "map", which originated from the Late Latin word "mappa" meaning "napkin" or "cloth". The verb "map" initially referred to the act of drawing or marking out boundaries, much like how a napkin is spread out to provide a defined surface. Over time, it evolved to specifically denote the act of representing geographical or topographical information on a map, leading to the noun form "mapping" referring to the process or result of creating a map.
