Feature Definition | GIS Dictionary

feature

[geodesy] Any part of the earth's surface, or anything found on the earth's surface, that can be represented on a map. Features represent various types of geographic entities as geometric symbols, such as single locations (points); roads and rivers (lines); cities and countries (polygons); and more complex objects, such as utility grids (networks) or meteorological events (surfaces). A feature typically has spatial characteristics—such as its geographic coordinates—and may have associated attributes that provide additional information—such as its name, population, or elevation.